Acentropinae
Guides
Argyractini
Argyractini is a tribe of aquatic moths within the subfamily Acentropinae (Crambidae). The tribe includes several genera of small to medium-sized moths whose larvae are adapted to life in freshwater habitats. Adults are generally nocturnal and are attracted to light. The group is primarily distributed in the New World, with most species occurring in the Neotropical region.
Argyractis
Argyractis is a genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Acentropinae (formerly Nymphulinae), established by Hampson in 1897. The genus contains approximately 13 recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas. At least one species, Argyractis subornata, has been studied as a potential biological control agent for invasive waterhyacinth. Members of this genus are associated with aquatic habitats and exhibit aquatic larval stages.
Argyractis drumalis
Argyractis drumalis is a small aquatic moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It is endemic to Florida and associated with freshwater aquatic habitats. The species is named for Fort Drum, its type locality. Adults are active year-round with peak presence from February through November.
Aulacodes cf-aechmialis
Aulacodes cf-aechmialis is a moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The 'cf.' designation indicates this identification is provisional, based on comparison with the described species Aulacodes aechmialis. Acentropinae moths are predominantly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. This taxon belongs to a genus of small moths whose larvae are typically aquatic and feed on submerged vegetation.
Chrysendeton
Chrysendeton is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The genus was established by Grote in 1881. Species in this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, reflecting the broader ecological pattern of the Acentropinae subfamily. The genus contains multiple described species distributed primarily in North America.
Chrysendeton nigrescens
Chrysendeton nigrescens is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, first described by Heppner in 1991. It is known exclusively from pitcher plant bogs in the southeastern United States. The species has a narrow geographic range, recorded only from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Adults are active during two distinct periods: spring (May–June) and late summer (August–September).
Contiger
Contiger is a monotypic genus of crambid moths established by Lange in 1956. The genus contains a single species, Contiger vittatalis, known from Florida in the southeastern United States. Adults are small with a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and exhibit distinct seasonal activity patterns throughout the year.
Elophila faulalis
Elophila faulalis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, described by Francis Walker in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Acentropinae, a group that includes many semi-aquatic and aquatic moth species whose larvae develop in or near water. Adults have been recorded in flight nearly year-round in North America. The species is part of a genus whose larvae are known to construct portable cases from plant fragments and live in aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Elophila gyralis
Waterlily Borer Moth
Elophila gyralis, commonly known as the waterlily borer moth, is a species of aquatic moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. The species is distributed across eastern North America, ranging from Canada through the eastern and central United States. Its common name suggests an association with waterlily plants, though specific larval host details require further documentation.
Elophila icciusalis
pondside pyralid moth, Pondside Crambid Moth
Elophila icciusalis, commonly known as the pondside pyralid moth, is a small crambid moth native to most of North America. The species has a wingspan of 16–26 mm and is active from June through September. Its larvae are fully aquatic, feeding on submerged aquatic vegetation in freshwater habitats. Three subspecies are recognized: E. i. albiplaga, E. i. avalona, and the nominate E. i. icciusalis.
Elophila nebulosalis
Nebulous Munroessa Moth
Elophila nebulosalis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, described by Charles H. Fernald in 1887. It is restricted to the southeastern United States, with records from South Carolina to Florida. The larvae are thought to be aquatic, consistent with other members of the subfamily Acentropinae.
Elophila obliteralis
Waterlily Leafcutter Moth
Elophila obliteralis is a small aquatic moth native to eastern North America, with introduced populations in Hawaii, South Africa, and England. Adults have a wingspan of 10–22 mm and are active from May to August. The larvae are aquatic, feeding on diverse aquatic plants and constructing protective cases from cut leaf pieces held together with silk. The species has been investigated as a biological control agent for invasive aquatic plants including Nymphoides peltata and Hygrophila polysperma.
Eoparargyractis floridalis
Eoparargyractis floridalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, described by William Harry Lange in 1956. It belongs to the subfamily Acentropinae, a group commonly known as water moths due to their association with aquatic habitats. The species is known from limited records in the southeastern United States.
Langessa
black langessa moth
Langessa is a monotypic genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Acentropinae, established by Munroe in 1972. The sole species, Langessa nomophilalis (black langessa moth), occurs in the southeastern United States. Adults are small moths with distinctive bronzy-brown forewings and patterned hindwings. Larvae are aquatic, feeding on submerged vegetation.
Langessa nomophilalis
black langessa moth
Langessa nomophilalis, the black langessa moth, is the sole species in the genus Langessa. It is a small crambid moth in the subfamily Acentropinae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States with a restricted coastal plain distribution. It was first described by Harrison Gray Dyar in 1906, originally placed in the genus Nymphula.
Neargyractis
Neargyractis is a genus of aquatic moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The genus was established by W.H. Lange in 1956 during a revision of North American aquatic moths. It contains at least eight described species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Neocataclysta
scrollwork pyralid moth
Neocataclysta is a monotypic genus of crambid moths erected by Lange in 1956. Its sole species, Neocataclysta magnificalis (scrollwork pyralid moth), occurs in eastern North America from Florida to Nova Scotia and Ontario. Adults have been recorded on wing year round. The genus is classified in the subfamily Acentropinae.
Nymphuliella daeckealis
China Mark Moth
Nymphuliella daeckealis, commonly known as the China Mark Moth, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Nymphuliella. It was first described by F. Haimbach in 1915 under the basionym Diathrausta daeckealis. The genus was established by William Harry Lange in 1956. The species belongs to the subfamily Acentropinae within the family Crambidae.
Oligostigmoides
A genus of aquatic moths in the family Crambidae, described by William Harry Lange in 1956. The genus contains five described species distributed from the southwestern United States through Central America to Peru. As members of the subfamily Acentropinae, these moths are associated with freshwater habitats during their larval stages.
Oligostigmoides cryptalis
Oligostigmoides cryptalis is a moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It was described by Herbert Druce in 1896 based on specimens from Mexico. The species has been recorded from montane localities in Mexico (Xalapa, Orizaba), Costa Rica, and Panama. Very few observations exist, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Oxyelophila
Oxyelophila is a genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Acentropinae, described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1922. The genus comprises eight described species distributed in the Neotropical region. As a member of Acentropinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as aquatic or semiaquatic moths, though specific ecological data for Oxyelophila remain limited.
Parapoynx
China-mark moths
Parapoynx is a genus of aquatic moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus contains approximately 60 described species distributed across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Many species have aquatic or semi-aquatic larvae that feed on submerged aquatic plants. Several species are of economic importance as pests of rice and other aquatic crops, while others have been investigated as potential biological control agents for invasive aquatic weeds such as hydrilla.
Parapoynx diminutalis
Hydrilla leafcutter moth
Parapoynx diminutalis is an Asian aquatic moth in the family Crambidae, first described from southeast Asia in 1880. The species has established adventive populations in North America (first recorded Florida 1976), Central America (Panama), Africa, and Europe (United Kingdom). Larvae are aquatic and feed on submerged macrophytes, with documented development on Hydrilla verticillata, Chara vulgaris, Ottelia alismoides, Blyxa auberti, and Cyperus rotundus. Despite early interest as a biological control agent for invasive hydrilla, its generalist feeding habits precluded intentional release.
Parapoynx maculalis
polymorphic pondweed moth
Parapoynx maculalis, commonly known as the polymorphic pondweed moth, is a small aquatic moth in the family Crambidae. It inhabits freshwater environments across eastern North America, from Florida and Texas north to Canada. The species is distinguished by its small size, white forewings with fuscous markings, and fully aquatic larval stage that feeds on submerged plants.
Petrophila daemonalis
Devil's River Petrophila
Petrophila daemonalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1907 (published 1908). The species is known from Texas, where it inhabits riparian environments associated with the Devils River. The common name reflects this association. As a member of the subfamily Acentropinae, it belongs to a group of crambid moths often associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Petrophila hodgesi
Ozark Petrophila
Petrophila hodgesi is a moth species in the family Crambidae, first described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. It belongs to the subfamily Acentropinae, a group commonly known as aquatic crambid snout moths due to their association with freshwater habitats. The species is endemic to the Ozark region of the south-central United States, with confirmed records from Arkansas and Oklahoma. The specific epithet honors Ronald W. Hodges, a prominent American lepidopterist who contributed significantly to the classification of North American microlepidoptera.
Petrophila longipennis
Long-winged Petrophila
Petrophila longipennis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It was described by George Hampson in 1906 based on specimens from Mexico. The species is known from only a handful of observations, with limited biological information available. Like other members of Petrophila, it is likely associated with aquatic or riparian habitats, though this has not been directly documented for this species.
Usingeriessa
Usingeriessa is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The genus was established by Lange in 1956 and contains approximately 11 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. These moths are part of a group commonly known as aquatic or semi-aquatic crambid moths, though specific ecological details for the genus remain limited.