Parapoynx obscuralis

Parapoynx obscuralis, the obscure pondweed moth, American china-mark or vallisneria leafcutter, is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Grote in 1881.^[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas and north to Wisconsin and Ontario.^[2] It is also found in Great Britain, where it is naturalised in aquatic nurseries through accidental introduction.^[3]

The wingspan is 17–26 mm. The forewings of the males are white with brown shading and a thick white postmedian line. The females have dark brown forewings. The hindwings are white with a brown or blackish band and an orange terminal band. Adults are on wing from June to August.

The larvae are aquatic and feed on various aquatic plants, including vallisneria, Potamogeton and Nuphar species.^[4]

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