Life history descriptions of two aquatic Florida moth species (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) include approximately 157,500 described species, the majority of which have terrestrial larvae. However, several lepidopteran lineages have successfully evolved strategies and adaptations to live under, or near, water. It is estimated that among the currently described Lepidoptera, only about 5 % of the species are truly aquatic. Aquatic and semi-aquatic moths display a large variation in life history, which can include stem boring, case making, and free-living on plants. Despite their unique adaptations, the life histories of many aquatic and semi-aquatic lepidopterans remain largely unknown. In the present study, we have documented the life history of two crambid moth species, the waterlily leafcutter moth ( Elophila obliteralis Walker) and the salvinia stem-borer moth ( Samea multiplicalis (Guenée)) from the southern United States, specifically reporting development times and describing in detail their behavioral adaptations through high quality images. We also characterize and image their silk, an important adaptation to living in an aquatic environment.