Erebidae

72.045 Common Footman Eilema lurideola (Zincken, 1817)

Common

Similar species: Scarce Footman Eilema complana has an all orange head and rests with its wings rolled around its body rather than flat.

Forewing: 14 to 17mm

Habitats: Woodland, scrub, grassland, hedgerows, marshes, fenland, coastal scrub on sand-dunes, undercliff and gardens.

Habits: The moth can be found at flowers after dark and comes to light and sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on algae and lichens on trees, bushes, walls, rocks and fences and leaves of Hawthorn in hedgerows. In captivity it will accept the leaves of Blackthorn, Traveller's-joy, Bramble and the withered leaves of sallows, Bramble and Dandelion. It pupates in a cocoon in a bark crevice.