Donacaula forficella

Wingspan 24 to 32 mm.

Inhabiting marshy areas, ditches and similar habitats.

The moths fly in June and July and are usually encountered at light.

The larva of this species has a peculiar habit of cutting part of a leaf to act as a raft, using this to float on the water to a new foodplant when necessary. Common reed and similar plants are the larval foodplants.

The species is found in the southern half of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).