Brown China-mark
Elophila nymphaeata
This record describes Elophila nymphaeata (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 22-30 mm. This species is quite variable and some examples are quite dark and dull-looking, whereas others can have delicately-patterned white patches and streaks. The group of moths known as China-marks are unusual in that their larvae are entirely aquatic, feeding on water plants. Fairly common throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Crambidae
- Genus
- Elophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around ponds, lakes and canals.
Seasonal Activity
The moth flies from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The group of moths known as China-marks are unusual in that their larvae are entirely aquatic, feeding on water plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elophila nymphaeata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Brown China-mark (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown China-mark
What is Brown China-mark?
Brown China-mark (Elophila nymphaeata) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brown China-mark found?
Habitat: Around ponds, lakes and canals.
When is Brown China-mark active?
Brown China-mark: seasonal activity - The moth flies from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Brown China-mark?
The group of moths known as China-marks are unusual in that their larvae are entirely aquatic, feeding on water plants.