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Black Duckweed Moth - Elophila tinealis <br /> Total length: 5 mm. Tiny, blackish forewing with whitish blue spots in median area. Short antennae. <br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a light in a semi-rural area. Elophila tinealis,Geotagged,Summer,United States,moth Click/tap to enlarge

Black Duckweed Moth - Elophila tinealis


Total length: 5 mm. Tiny, blackish forewing with whitish blue spots in median area. Short antennae.

Habitat: Attracted to a light in a semi-rural area.

    comments (6)

  1. View Gary B's profile
    Gary B
    Lion
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    Nice find! I find moths like this one that feed on aquatic plants to be very interesting. Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
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      Thanks Gary! I find them intriguing as well. Apparently, the caterpillars actually develop in the water. The larvae of this species feed on duckweed in swamps, so I think it probably came from the swamp in back of my apartment. Posted 6 years ago
      1. View Gary B's profile
        Gary B
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        I wonder if they have gill-like structures similar to what Paraponyx has. Can't seem to find much info on Elophila yet. There's a county ditch that goes through a wetland I inventory that is loaded with duckweed. Thinking of taking a small bucket to collect some next week and see what is in there and if Elophila is there, too. Posted 6 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
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          Ohhh! What a cool idea! I love seeing what little critters are in bits of water like that. Posted 6 years ago
      3. View Gary B's profile
        Gary B
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        According to this at least one species of Elophila does not possess gills. I would assume the same is true of the other species.

        http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/leps/waterlily_leafcutter.htm         Posted 6 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
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          So weird. I honestly had no idea that some crambids had aquatic larvae. I haven't taken much time to search out info yet, but I wonder how they survive without gills? Posted 6 years ago

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The Black Duckweed Moth

"Elophila tinealis" is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Munroe in 1972. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Michigan, Ontario and New York, south to Florida and west to Texas. The habitat consists of swamps and wet woods.

Info 8 0
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jul 12, 2019. Captured Jul 11, 2019 22:14 in 5 East St, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/5.6
  • 1/64s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.