Nymphula nitidulata (Hufnagel, 1767) Species
Last modified: Dec. 7, 2024, 12:59 p.m.
An uncommon species in Belgium, mainly observed in the Kempen.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Crambidae > Subfamily: Acentropinae > Genus: Nymphula > Species: Nymphula nitidulata
- Vernacular names
- Egelskopmot (NL), Beautiful China-mark (EN), Igelkolbenzünsler (DE)
- Synonyms
- Nymphula stagnata (Donovan, 1806) and Nymphula nymphaealis sensu auct., nec (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Fré Ch. 1858. Catalogue des Microlépidoptères de la Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 2: 45–162. On page 57 (as N.[ymphula] Nymphaealis L.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 20–25 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Yellowish, with a brown dorsal line and a brown head.
Bionomics
When young, the larva mines mainly the leaves or the stem of its foodplant. It hibernates. Later it lives amongst spun leaves just below the surface of the water. Pupation in a white silk cocoon attached to the foodplant at or just below the water-level.
The adults are active at dusk and later come to light.
Flight periods
One extended, or two difficult to separate, generations a year from early May till mid-September.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Sparganium erectum and Sparganium emersum
The oligophagous larva feeds on Sparganium, the most important food plant. Records of Butomus umbellatus, Nuphar lutea and Glyceria maxima need confirmation.
Habitat
It inhabits lakes, rivers and ponds.
