Erebidae

72.048 Pigmy Footman Eilema pygmaeola pygmaeola (Doubleday, 1847)

RDB

Dungeness Pigmy Footman Eilema pygmaeola pallifrons (Zeller,1847)

RDB

Similar species: The small size should be enough to distinguish this moth from similar species.

Forewing: 10 to 15mm

Habitats: Coastal vegetated shingle and sand-dunes.

Habits: The moth comes to light and occasionally sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on algae and lichens, including the branched lichen Cladonia rangiformis on pebbles, posts and the ground. In captivity it accepts the young, withered leaves of sallows. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon amongst lichens and moss.