Cataclysta lemnata

Description

Cataclysta lemnata, the small china-mark, is a moth species of the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe (including Great Britain and Ireland), Morocco and Iran. Adults of the species are sexually dimorphic. The wingspan is 18–19 mm for males and 22–24 mm for females. The forewings are white. The costa, discal spot and a series of terminal spots are all fuscous. The hindwings are white with scatted pale fuscous scales. The moth flies from May to August depending on the location. Larvae are semiaquatic. C. lemnata larvae have been recorded feeding on duckweed species (including Lemna species and Spirodela polyrhiza), as well as water ferns of the genus Azolla. The species is known to pupate in cocoons or shelters built from plant material.