[1] Its only species, Acentria ephemerella, the watermilfoil moth or water veneer, was described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775.

It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).

The adult male is a white moth with a wingspan of about 12 millimeters.Forewings whitish, veins and costa obscurely brownish.

The female is fertilized at the surface and dives to lay egg masses on aquatic plants, such as Potamogeton spp., Canadian waterweed Elodea canadensis and watermilfoil.

This moth is used as a biocontrol agent on watermilfoil, but carefully, because it lacks host specificity and will attack other plant species, including natives.