1331       Acentria ephemerella [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]  WATER VENEER

A species found across much of Britain, the larva living beneath the surface of ponds, lakes and more stagnant parts of rivers, and feeding on canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), stoneworts (Chara spp.) and filiform algae; respiration takes place through the skin. The female has rudimentary wings, although a fully winged form, larger than the male, is occasionally observed at light. The males fly vigorously over the surface of the water at night, and occasionally disperse on the warmest nights in huge numbers, coming to light and being found dead in the base of the moth trap the following morning. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and locally abundant near freshwater habitat. There are many instances of short-range dispersal to localities well away from water.