Bug FAQHydrilla Leafcutter Moth
Parapoynx diminutalis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Also called: Small Leafcutter Moth, Hydrilla leafcutter
Males have a wingspan of about 11 to 14 mm, while females are larger at 16 to 23 mm. It originates in southeast Asia and parts of Australia, but it has also been recorded in the United Kingdom, the United States, and many African countries. The caterpillars feed on aquatic plants such as Hydrilla and water lilies (Nymphaea).
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Males have a wingspan of about 11 to 14 mm. Females are larger, with a wingspan of 16 to 23 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on Hydrilla and on water-lily species (Nymphaea).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
In Africa it occurs in many countries including Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Madagascar.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 9 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae eat?
The caterpillars feed on Hydrilla and water lilies (Nymphaea).
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth found?
It originates in southeast Asia and Australia, but has been recorded in the United Kingdom, the United States, and many African nations.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Elegant Grass-veneerMicrocrambus elegans
Hawaiian Beet Webworm MothSpoladea recurvalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bluegrass Webworm MothParapediasia teterrellusDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parapoynx_diminutalis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.