Seq # 500840010

Nymphula nitidulata (Hufnagel, 1767) Species

Last modified: Oct. 25, 2023, 6:13 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 nymphaealis). view page
Status

Native


Distribution


Imago

Wingspan 20—25 mm.

Museum specimens

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Specimens in nature


Caterpillar

Yellowish, with a brown dorsal line and a brown head.

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Mine

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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.

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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.

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Habitat

It inhabits lakes, rivers and ponds.

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