Common Footman

Common Footman
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Arctiidae
Genus:	Eilema
Species:	E. lurideola
Binomial name
Eilema lurideola Zincken, 1817

The Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is distributed throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.

Caterpillar

This species has a wingspan of 31-38 mm. The forewings are grey with a yellowish-buff streak along the costa. The hindwings are a uniform cream colour. Like other footmen, it rests with its wings wrapped around its body (The common name footman comes from a supposed resemblance to the uniform of such a servant). This moth flies at night in July and August ^[1] and is attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers.

The larva is grey and hairy, with black lines down the back and an orange line down each side. It usually feeds on various lichens including Parmelia, although it has also been recorded feeding on buckthorn and oak. The species overwinters as a larva.

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

References

• Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
• Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984