Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Crambidae Scientific name Acentria ephemerella | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Acentria Rank Species | |
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Similar Acentria, Agriphila straminella, Parapoynx stratiotata, Agriphila tristella, Catoptria | ||
Acentria ephemerella (formerly A. nivea) is a species of grass moth known as the watermilfoil moth or water veneer. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).
The adult male is a white moth with a wingspan of about 12 millimeters. There are two female morphologies. Most females are flightless and live on the surface of the water or just submersed. A few females have longer wings and fly. This is an aquatic insect; most of its life cycle takes place in the water. The female is fertilized at the surface and dives to lay egg masses on aquatic plants, such as watermilfoil. The larva emerges and bores into the stem of the plant, gluing together plant material to create a shelter. It girdles stems as it feeds, which causes significant damage to the plant as stems and leaves die or break off. The larva pupates inside an underwater cocoon filled with air. Upon emergence, males and flighted females swim to the water surface and fly away.
This moth is used as a biocontrol agent on watermilfoil, but carefully, because it lacks host specificity and will attack other plant species, including natives. It tends to prefer M. spicatum over other plants. This is a European moth, but it was found in Canada in the 1920s, having been probably introduced accidentally. It is established in much of the northeastern United States, where it appears to have the ability to reduce watermilfoil infestations.
