Pest profile

Waterlily Leafcutter

Elophila obliteralis (formerly Synclita obliteralis) · Lepidoptera: Crambidae[3]

The waterlily leafcutter is a small moth whose caterpillars cut pieces from water lily and other aquatic plant leaves and live between two of them as a floating case, leaving leaves riddled with holes.[1][2]

Waterlily leafcutter moth with mottled brown and white wings
Waterlily leafcutter moth with mottled brown and white wings. (c) Alexis Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • The caterpillar lives sandwiched between two pieces of leaf it cuts from its host, earning it the nickname 'the sandwich man'; unlike many related moths, it has no gills.[2]
  • Larvae are creamy white, browner toward the front, with a yellowish-brown head.[2]
  • Damage shows as round holes cut from leaf edges and, later, whole leaves eaten or tied together.[1]

Where it lives

UMD reports it as one of two major pests of water lilies in Maryland water gardens, and UF/IFAS calls it the most common of more than 20 related moths in Florida.[1][2]

US map: public records from 36 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

In UMD's studies of the closely related China mark moth, eggs were laid near leaf edges or on undersides, larvae overwintered on submerged stems, and larvae increased in hot weather.[1]

In Florida, it also feeds on the invasive aquatic weeds hygrophila and hydrilla.[2]

Damage and signs

  • Larval feeding makes aquatic plants unattractive, and large populations can weaken or kill them.[1]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Traps and physical control

Check water lily leaves closely in spring, remove and destroy leaves and stems with cases attached, and skim off floating leaf cases.[1]

Pesticides

Few pesticides are labeled for use in water; in UMD trials, Bt (kurstaki) and spinosad controlled the related China mark moth larvae. Potted lilies can be lifted out of the pond for treatment.[1]

Common questions

What is cutting round holes in my water lily leaves?
Likely waterlily leafcutter or China mark moth caterpillars, which live in cases cut from the leaves.[1][2]
What are the little floating leaf pieces in my pond?
Possibly leaf cases holding caterpillars; skim and destroy them.[1][2]
Can I use insecticides in a water garden?
Few products are labeled for water; UMD found Bt and spinosad effective on related larvae.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Maryland Extension, “Controlling Two Aquatic Plant Pests: China Mark Moth and the Waterlily Leafcutter.” extension.umd.edu/resource/aquatic-pests-china-mark-moth-and-waterlily-leafcutter (accessed 2026-10-15)
  2. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Waterlily Leafcutter, Elophila obliteralis (EENY-424).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN803 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  3. iNaturalist, “Elophila obliteralis taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/335071 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-15. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.