Species Details

ABH: 63.118

BF: 1350

Family: Crambidae

Subfamily: Acentropinae

Taxon: Nymphula nitidulata

Authority: (Hufnagel, 1767)

Vernacular: Beautiful China-mark

Account: Local in ponds throughout much of Britain Smaller and whiter than Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata; lightly marked specimens could be mistaken for male Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, but in that species the forewing discal spot is a closed circle [Goater]. Larva feeds on Branched Bur-reed, Unbranched Bur-reed, Yellow Water-lily and other water plants, living entirely underwater.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 20 — 25 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 2 Jul (2009) — 6 Sep (2025)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant:

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Local

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌

Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/nymphula-nitidulata/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 18

Individuals: 3

Earliest Year: 1995

Latest Year: 2025

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