This is not an easy species to identify. The markings on the wings, though numerous, are arranged in such a way, little grip for the eyes is offered. You can see that in some of our pictures: whatever the background, the animal is not that easy to see. The Engrailed is almost identical to the Ringed Carpet, especially in worn out animals, hardly marked specimens and females. Usually there is a little ring, or a dot surrounded by a ring on the hind wing of the Ringed Carpet, but that may be invisible at times. The Engrailed however often has a " mark in middle of the forewing where a vein splits into two. Alas this may be absent at times. To complicate matters more the Engrailed has lots of melanistic forms. In these lots of markings are invisible, making it hard to identify them. The animals of the second generation (seen from July) are usually smaller and less clearly marked than those of the first. The wingspan is highly variable and may be anything from 36 to 47 mm.
The Engrailed Moth is double-brooded in most of England and Wales, single-brooded in Scotland and further north. In the south of England an occasional third generation may appear. The caterpillars grow fast. They are reddish brown and have a clear black V-shaped marking on the back, behind the head at about 1/5th of the body. The larvae pupate underground and it is the pupa that overwinters. They'll eat anything: shrubs and trees. In the USA they are even found on firs. The Americans call the caterpillar the Saddleback Looper.
Because it appears in two and sometimes even three generations it is seen from mid-March to November. In Northern Britain only one generation develops and there it is on the wing from early April to the end of June only. By day often seen resting on walls, fences, tree trunks etc. Doesn't usually fly till well after sunset, but comes to light, sometimes even in great numbers. Species prefers light forests, gardens, parks and dunes. Very common all over Britain and elsewhere in Europe. Also a common species in Northern America, especially in the east.
In the past this species was treated as two separate species: The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia) and the Small Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata). Recent scientific research has shown however there is only one species. In Britain the situation remains unclear as there might be a third species on the wing there. This however is not very likely. For now you are very safe caling the Engrailed and the Small Engrailed one and the same species: Ectropis crepuscularia.
The Common Heath is not the easiest species to identify. Often it has darkbrown bands running on a whitish undergound. The bands however often turn into blurs or just dots. The ground colour may also be yellowish or even brownish. Sometimes completely umarked brown animals are observed. These look like some brownish skippers a lot, for the Common Heath flies during the day. It is however easy to tell the difference. Skippers, being butterflies, have long, threadlike antennae with a knob on the end. The Common Heath has big feathery antennae. Usually you won't have much difficulty identifying the Common Heath though, for there are few moths flying on heath during broad daylight. Reaching a wingspan of 24 to 34 mm, this is a rather small Geometer.
The eggs hatch in July and may be found on the foodplants to September. Then they drop to the ground and pupate underground. They overwinter as a pupa. The caterpillars of the Common Heath are extremely variable. They may be yellowish, greenish, brownish or even almost blackish. Sometimes there are white dots and lines on the back. The head usually is greenish, but sometimes brownish and has dark brown markings. The larvae will reach a length of some 30 mm. Usually found on heathers and heath, this species also lives in light forests and grasslands. In the latter the larvae feed on clovers.
Mainly double-brooded, the Common Heath is on the wing from May to August. Most numerous by the end of May and the beginning of June and again in the beginning of August. In northern parts of Britain single-brooded normally flying in June and July. Flies by day, especially on hot and sunny days. A very common species all over Britain and also on the continent, except for areas with a rich soil.
The Winter Moth is among the more awkward species when it comes to identification. In well marked specimens you'll easily see the brown speckles and spots on the greyish brown upper wing, as well as the light band running across the wing starting about halfways. But most animals are not that neatly marked and look like rather unmarked greyish moths. What complicates matters at times is that the Winter Moth regularly rests with its wings closed together, like butterflies do, hiding the details needed for indentification. It is almost identical to the Northern Winter Moth. Seen together it is not very complicated to separate them: The Northern Winter Moth often shows even less markings, is slightly glossy and lighter in colouration. The Northern Winter Moth flies about earlier than the Winter Moth. The latter however flies longer. In many parts of Britain you have nothing to worry about, for the Northern Winter Moth is very rare at most places, while the Winter Moth is a very common species. The wingspan is some 28 to 33 mm in males. Females are apterous (wingless).
The female just climbs up and down on trees, waiting for a male to appear. After mating the eggs are deposited, either on a bud or on a twig. The eggs overwinter and hatch in April. The young larvae will eat the developing leaves. This way they are sometimes harmful in orchards. If the host plant can't hold all caterpillars or dies, they'll spin a thread and hang down from the tree, waiting for enough wind to let go and be transported to another tree. This way they can turn up in places where no adults were ever seen. By half June they'll make thread and descend to the ground that way. In or on the ground a very tight cocoon is spun in which the caterpillar pupates. In late autumn or early winter the adults appear. The caterpillar is green with a dark green line on top running from haed to tail. Three yellowish or whitish green lines run parallelly on the sides of the animal. The head is green, usually with some small brown markings. It will reach a length of some 20 mm. It will eat almost anything, but prefers trees and shrubs. However in a heath it will nibble on heather as well. The caterpillar in the bottom picture just moulded and that's why it is almost colourless.
The Winter Moth is on the wing from October to December and sometimes seen in January and February as well. During a period of extreme frost however it rests on trees or buildings. The adult moths do not eat at all. Even though the numbers are not the same every year, the Winter Moth regularly appears in really great numbers. It is attracted to light very much and even a lit window has an appeal to this species. If you see a greyish moth flying in the head lights of a car in December, it usually is this species. The Winter Moth just needs a few trees to be present and is a usual visitor to (small) gardens even in towns and cities. A very common species all over Britain and on the continent of Europe, except for mountain areas.
The Northern Winter Moth is rather a sad case. The male is almost identical to that of the Winter Moth and the two species are asily mixed up. Yet they can be told apart. It helps to have seen them together once. Compared to the Winter Moth the Northern Winter Moth often is even less marked, it is larger, the colour is greyish and lighter, it is glossy and the wings are shaped differently: at the base, called the shoulder in moths, they run stright for a few millimetres, before curving down. The tips of the wings are sligtly rounder and the hind wings are whitish. It is rarely found with the wings in an upright position and in general is much scarcer. The wingspan is some 32 to 40 mm. The females can't fly. Contrary to the females of the Winter Moth they do have small wings. These are clearly marked: a dark band runs over them. This makes the females easy to identify.
The eggs are mainly laid in November and they overwinter. In spring the caterpillar appears to eat the growing leaves. The larva is (blueish) light green. On top runs a narrow dark green line. Along the sides run three whitish lines, of which the first is thick. The head is brown showing some lighter markings. It will reach a length of some 27 mm. In June the caterpillar moves to the ground, digs a hole and pupates there. New moths appear from October onward. Accidentally moths appear in August and September. The Northern Winter Moth is found on Birch mainly, but also on Alder and Beech. Every now and then it is found on fruit trees, especially Apple, Plum and Cherry.
Even though it may be seen from August to February, it usually just flies from mid-October to mid-November. By doing so it flies earlier than the Winter Moth. The adults do not feed themselves anymore. The males are easily attracted to lights and will not hesitate to enter the house. Males and females are sometimes seen resting on tree bark during the day, often sitting close together. Quite common in England, Less frequent, but widespread in Wales and Scotland. Probably not an Irish species. Elsewhere in Europe widespread, but often a very local species.
A black and grey geometer which can hardly be told apart from similar species by the ***** eye. The November Moth, the Pale November Moth and the Autumnal Moth can only be identified for sure by examining the genitals. To be able to do this, the animals have to be killed and that is something we don't do. Besides: both the November Moth and the Pale November Moth are rather variable. And despite the names, all species appear in October rather than November. Judging by shape, the veins, which are not strongly accentuated, and the place of the black dot, we think the animals in the pictures could be Autumnal Moths, but we are not sure at all! These species all have about the same wingspan: 38 to 44 mm.
The eggs are being laid in October or November on twigs or in openings in the bark of trees. They only hatch by the end of April or in May next year. The caterpillar of the Autumnal Moth usually differs from the larva of the November Moth. It too is green, but so is the underside, which is white in the November Moth's. Often the caterpillar is richly marked: in the middle of the back a black dorsal line and besides a yellow one often with a connecting black one. On the sides about half way a white line, which also may be reddish and yellow. The head is green and unmarked. Fullgrown caterpillars will reach a length of some 25 mm. Alas, regularly more difficult caterpillars pop up: they are plain green and do not show many markings. These do look like unmarked caterpillars of the other Eipritta species a lot. In June or July the caterpillar of the Autumnal Moth descends down the tree and goes underground to pupate in a cocoon. The larvae accept lots of foodplants: trees, like Birch, and small plants, like heather and bilberry. In Northern Europe and Northern America found on conifers as well.
The Autumnal Moth has only one generation a year, which is on the wing in October and the beginning of November. Usually on the wing for a short period only: about 4 weeks. Does not fly in dusk a lot and is thus rarely seen on Ivy. Readily comes to light, every now and then in great numbers. Like other Epiritta species often sits like a butterfly. It is a woodland species, but it doesn't like dense forests. In Britain a common species all over. Also common on the continent, but a local species southwards. Abundant in the vast birch forests in Northern Europe (including Scotland). In Northern America wide spread in the Northeast, especially common in conifer woodlands.
In Northern America this species is known as the Green Velvet Looper.
A black and grey geometer which can hardly be told apart from similar species by the ***** eye. The November Moth, the Pale November Moth and the Autumnal Moth can only be identified for sure by examining the genitals. To be able to do this, the animals have to be killed and that is something we don't do. Besides: both the November Moth and the Pale November Moth are rather variable. And despite the names, all species appear in October rather than November. Judging by shape, the colour and the third band on the wing, we believe the animals in the pictures to be November Moths, but we are not absolutely sure. The species all have about the same wingspan: 38 to 44 mm.
The eggs are being laid on twigs and branches in October and November, but don't hatch untill April next year. The caterpillar appearing is green on top with a white underside. At the end and the beginning of each segment are reddish brown bands. On the back these sometimes are widened in such a way the caterpillar seems to have a reddish line on the back. The head is green and unmarked. The caterpillar of the November Moth may reach a length of some 26 mm. They are full grown by the end of july and go underground to pupate in a cocoon. The larvae live on a number of trees and shrubs, including oak and birch.
The November Moth flies in just one generation, mainly in October and even earlier in Northern Britain. In mild winters the last animals may be flying about to mid-December. Just like its nephews the November Moth often sits with the wings fully put together on top of the body, a posture usually found in butterflies. May fly at dusk and is regularly seen feeding on Ivy. Comes to light, usually in great numbers. Common in woodlands, parks and gardens. Widespread throughout Britain. On the continent an common species too, even though little is known about the real distribution of the three species because of the difficulties in telling them apart.
The family of woolly bears or Arctids is named after the larvae rather than the imagoes. The caterpillars are very hairy and often very dark, thus looking little a very tiny 'bear'. The adult moths often are very hairy as well, especially the bigger species. A number of these moths are very colourful with lots of red and yellow. The colours serve as a warning to predators: many species are awfully tasting, some even poisonous to birds. This family is divided into two rather different subfamilies. The Ermines and Tiger Moths (Arctiinae) are rather big and colourful, while the footmen (Lithosiinae) are usually quite small and greyish or buff.
The subfamily of True Woolly Bears is comprised of the Ermines and the Tiger Moths. Usually quite big, colourful and extremely hairy moths. In many cases not only the body is hairy, but the legs as well. The adult moths of many species either feed nor drink during their life span. Not all Ermines actually belong to this family. Many species belong to the family of Yponomeutidae and are much smaller, less hairy and more elongated. Actually the Arctiinae are macro moths, while the Yponomeutidae are micro moths.
The White Ermine is a hairy, white moth. Both frontwings and hindwings are speckled with black dots. The first part of the body is white and extremely hairy. The center part of the body is orange and black. The tip of the tail is white with a rather big black dot. The antennae are black and slightly combed. Well marked animals offer no problems when identifying them, but the number of black spots on the wings varies from just 3 to dozens and the size of the black dots is highly variable too. Animals which are almost unmarked can be mistaken for Water Ermine or the female of the Muslin Moth. Both are very similar. However the Water Ermine (a less frequent and rather local species) differs from the White Ermine by not having any black spots in the hind wing and the lack of the black dot in the white part of the tail. The female Muslin Moth differs from the White Ermine by having thin, wirelike and uncombed antennae, the lack of orange colouring on the body and the fact she's a bit smaller usually. The White Tiger also gives a more slender and taller impression compared to most other Ermines. Like other Ermines the wingspan is quite variable and is anything from 34 to 48 mm.
The eggs are deposited in large groups in summer. They hatch quickly, the caterpillars eat a lot and grow fast. The larvae are extremely mobile and are capable of covering large distances quickly, especially during the last instar. The scientific name of the species refers to this (lubricipeda = quickfooted). In autumn greyish black cocoons are wooven in which pupation takes place. The cocoons can be found among leaflitter and other plant debris. The caterpillar of the White Ermine is blackish brown with numerous small black warts on which shorter or longer hairs are growing. On the back is an orange or reddish dorsal line. The head is dark brown or black. The larvae will reach a length of 40 to 45 mm. They are extremely polyfagous, but prefer hairy plants. This is one of the very few species to eat Bracken.
The White Ermine is on the wing from May to the middle of August, but most numerous in June and the first half of July. Animals flying about later are usually of a second generation. The animal only flies during the night. Should you find one resting during the day, you can easily take some pictures as it hardly ever moves and never flies off. This is probably due to the fact that both adult and larva are foul tasting and even slightly poisonous for birds. Adult moths do not feed. Both males and females come to light readily. A very common and sometimes even numerous species all over Britain. Also very common on the continent.
The scientific name of this species is wrongly also written as Spilosoma lubricipedum.
The male and female of the Muslin Moth are very different indeed. The male is dullish brown with darker dots. The body and hairs are of the same dull brown colour. The typical Ermine shape of the Muslin Moth and their colour, unique among the Ermine and Tiger Moths make the male inmistakable. The female however is another story alltogether. She is white with a few blackish dots or spots. The body is white at first, but the secopnd half is whitish or yellowish white with black dots or lines. She can easily be confused with similar species: the Buff Ermine, the White Ermine and the Water Ermine. Compared to the Buff Ermine, the female Muslin Moth usually is whiter, the dots do not mark a line figure on the front wings and she lacks the orange colouring of the body. When comparing her to the very similar White Ermine look at the body: the female Muslin Moth has no orange patches there. The same applies when comparing her to the Water Ermine. Besides the Water Ermine has no spots on the hind wings; the female Muslin Moth has. Compared to all three of them, the Muslin Moth is on the wing earlier. Most white Ermine-like moths seen in April and May are Muslin Moths. The wingspan is highly variable: 30 to 43 mm.
The eggs are being laid in small groups and the first larvae appear even before mid-June. The caterpillar is greyish brown with yellowish brown long hairs. The head is light brown. It does look a lot like the caterpillar of the White Ermine, except for the dorsal line, which is usually missing, or if present, is very faint. The lines on the side are situated higher up on the body. The larvae of the Muslin Moth are capable crawlers as well. When they feel threatened, they roll up their body and pretend to be dead. Should the threat continue, they let themselves fall down if possible. But anyways they walk away very swiftly. They overwinter in a dark cocoon among leaflitter. The larvae can be found on herbaceous plants: dandelion, dock, chickweed etc. Reaching a length of around 3.5 centimeters the larvae remain rather small.
Even though regularly seen in June and July, the Muslin Moth is at its peak in May. The males fly by night exclusively and happily come to light. The females are sometimes seen flying about in daylight and they are rarely, if at all, attracted to light. Both can be seen in daylight resting on leaves, tree trunks or even walls. The Muslin Moth is more easily disturbed during the day than the White or Buff Ermine is. Especially females may suddenly fly off. Wide spread throughout England and Wales, rarer to the North, not in Northern Scotland. The same pattern applies on the continent. In certain areas a rather local species.
Usually the Muslin Moth is still referred to by its former scientific name Diaphora mendica.
The male and female of the Muslin Moth are very different indeed. The male is dullish brown with darker dots. The body and hairs are of the same dull brown colour. The typical Ermine shape of the Muslin Moth and their colour, unique among the Ermine and Tiger Moths make the male inmistakable. The female however is another story alltogether. She is white with a few blackish dots or spots. The body is white at first, but the secopnd half is whitish or yellowish white with black dots or lines. She can easily be confused with similar species: the Buff Ermine, the White Ermine and the Water Ermine. Compared to the Buff Ermine, the female Muslin Moth usually is whiter, the dots do not mark a line figure on the front wings and she lacks the orange colouring of the body. When comparing her to the very similar White Ermine look at the body: the female Muslin Moth has no orange patches there. The same applies when comparing her to the Water Ermine. Besides the Water Ermine has no spots on the hind wings; the female Muslin Moth has. Compared to all three of them, the Muslin Moth is on the wing earlier. Most white Ermine-like moths seen in April and May are Muslin Moths. The wingspan is highly variable: 30 to 43 mm.
The eggs are being laid in small groups and the first larvae appear even before mid-June. The caterpillar is greyish brown with yellowish brown long hairs. The head is light brown. It does look a lot like the caterpillar of the White Ermine, except for the dorsal line, which is usually missing, or if present, is very faint. The lines on the side are situated higher up on the body. The larvae of the Muslin Moth are capable crawlers as well. When they feel threatened, they roll up their body and pretend to be dead. Should the threat continue, they let themselves fall down if possible. But anyways they walk away very swiftly. They overwinter in a dark cocoon among leaflitter. The larvae can be found on herbaceous plants: dandelion, dock, chickweed etc. Reaching a length of around 3.5 centimeters the larvae remain rather small.
Even though regularly seen in June and July, the Muslin Moth is at its peak in May. The males fly by night exclusively and happily come to light. The females are sometimes seen flying about in daylight and they are rarely, if at all, attracted to light. Both can be seen in daylight resting on leaves, tree trunks or even walls. The Muslin Moth is more easily disturbed during the day than the White or Buff Ermine is. Especially females may suddenly fly off. Wide spread throughout England and Wales, rarer to the North, not in Northern Scotland. The same pattern applies on the continent. In certain areas a rather local species.
Usually the Muslin Moth is still referred to by its former scientific name Diaphora mendica.
The Buff Ermine is a hairy moth with a variable pastel colour. Females are creamy white and males may be yellowish or buff. Usually there are a few variable black spots on the front edge of the front wing. Other black dots often represent an interupted line of black running from just before the tip of the wing to just before the middle of the wing. There may be other black dots as well. But all dots vary both in intensity of the black and in size. Almost undotted animals also appear regularly. The Buff Ermine often looks like the White Ermine, the Water Ermine and the female of the Muslin Moth. However the White Ermine is slightly whiter, a bit bigger and lacks the stright line of dots. The Water Ermine always is snowy white and never creamish or buff. The female of the Muslin Moth has no markings whatsoever on the underwings. The Buff Ermine always has at least one black dot there and usually even two. The wingspan is somewhere between 34 and 42 mm.
The eggs are deposited in large groups in summer. They hatch quickly, the caterpillars eat a lot and grow fast. Young larvae of the Buff Ermine often live together in large groups, but they split up once older. The larvae are extremely mobile and capable of covering large distances quickly, especially during the last instar. When threatened the caterpillars either freeze or run away quickly. In autumn greyish black cocoons are wooven in which pupation takes place. The cocoons can be found among leaflitter and other plant debris during winter. The caterpillar of the Buff Ermine is greyish brown. A whitish brown, thin line runs over the back and two additional whitish brown lines over the sides. The long hairs are yellowish brown growing from light brown warts. The head is light brown. The caterpillar reaches a maximum length of some 45 mm. They'll eat almost everything: from small garden plants to shrubs and trees (birch).
Even though the first Buff Ermines appear in April and the last are seen by the end of August, most fly about from mid-June to mid-July. The animal only flies during the night. Should you find one resting during the day, you can easily take some pictures as it hardly ever moves and never flies off. This is probably due to the fact that both adult and larva are foul tasting and even slightly poisonous for birds. Adult moths do not eat. Both males and females come to light readily. A very common and sometimes even numerous species all over Britain. Also very common on the continent.
The scientific name of this species is wrongly also written as Spilosoma luteum.
Footmen are rather easily identified by their shape: elongated. Often they put one wing on top of the other when resting and in some cases the wings are completely curled around the body. Especially buff variations and worn out animals bear a striking resemblance to the Grass Moths. You can tell them apart easily by two particulars: Grass Moths always have a snout, Footman never have a snout. When resting Grass Moths have their antennae backwards on top of their wings, Footmen at rest always hide their antennae under the wings, or hold them in front of the body. The caterpillars of Footmen always live on lichens or mosses growing on tree trunks or branches. Some species even appear in town as their caterpillars feed on lichens on roof tops. Some of the greyish and buff species are hard to tell apart at times. Other species are unmistakable.
Male and female of the Buff Footman differ considerably. The male is not only smaller than the female, it is also lighter in colour and far less contrastingly marked. He has buff wings, often with just a hint of a small orange line among the upper edge of the forwing. His fringes at the tops of the wings may also be slightly orange, but not necessarily so. He's not very difficult to identify. The female is bigger. Her wings are grey or even lead grey and have a clear orange line running on the outer edge of the frontwing. The tips of the wings usually have orange colourings as well. She does look like many of the other greyish footman, especially the Dingy Footman. Still, this species normally only has the head orange, the rest of the body is grey. The female Buff Footman often has the orange colour on all body parts visible between the wings. The Buff Footman never rolls it's wings around it's body, but always keeps them out, or puts one wing completely over the other. The males have a wingspan of 28 to 32 mm, the females have a wingspan of 32 to 36 mm.
The eggs are being laid in summer, but don't hatch before september. The young caterpillars of the Buff Footman do eat, but not a lot and they don't grow very fast during this stage. The still very small larvae overwinter sitting on bark or in lyches, not taking any apparent precautions against winter. In spring they become active again, start eating again and now grow rapidly. From May they'll pupate. They'll spin a cocoon, usually in a crevice of bark, where pupation takes 4 to 8 weeks. The caterpillars themselves are not very big and easily identified: look for a hairy, brownish black ceterpillar with a big, whitish dorsal line, interrupted three times by a black marking: on segments 3, 7 and 11. It will reach a length of 20 to 24 mm only and feeds on mosses and lyches growing on various trees, such as oak, yew, hawthorn and firs.
The Buff Footman is single brooded and is on the wing in June and July mainly. Flies by night exclusively, but both female and male are attracted to light. Easily disturbed during the day and unrestful for a long time after it is caught. Once settled down, may be photographed without much ado. This is a local species only scattered throughout southern parts of England, Wales and Ireland. It is a local species on the continent as well. But where it lives, it usually isn't rare at all.
NB This species is scientifically also known as Eilema deplana.
The Common Footman is similar to a number of other Footmen: de frontwing is leaden grey showing an orange edge. Except for the orange head the body is leaden grey too. The hindwings are yellowish. You may confuse him with the female of the Buff Footman and with the Dingy Footman and the Scarce Footman. Yet it isn't very difficult to tell them apart, usually. In the female of the Buff Footman not only the head is orange, but the entire body, including the part visible between the wings behind the head. In all other species the head is orange, but the rest of the body is grey. The orange edge of the wing remains equally broad in the Scarce Footman, while in the Common Footman it tapers towards the tip of the wing. The Dingy Footman is slightly different in shape and has greyish hindwings. But be aware of very worn animals. It can be very hard identifying them. Wingspan of the Common Footman some 31 to 39 mm.
The eggs are being laid in summer and most will hatch in August. The young caterpillars of the Common Footman do eat, but not a lot and they don't grow very fast during this stage. The still very small larvae overwinter sitting on bark or in lyches, not taking any apparent precautions against winter. In April they become active again, start eating again and now grow rapidly. From May or June they'll pupate. They'll spin a cocoon, usually in a crevice of bark, where pupation takes 4 to 6 weeks. The caterpillars themselves are not very big and easily identified: look for a hairy, brownish black caterpillar with a big, orange, interrupted line on the sides and a very thin whittish dorsal line. It will reach a length of 22 to 26 mm tops. It feeds on lyches and mosses on tree trunks, rocks, walls, fences etc. It accepts certain leaves when captured.
The Common Footman is single brooded and is on the wing in July and the beginning of August mainly. Regularly flies by day. By day it also visits flowers, including those in gardens, to suck nectar. Is also seen sunbasking on leaves. This is an easily disturbed and often itchy species, often not easy to photograph. Comes to light happily. Widespread throughout England, Wales and Ireland, local in Southern Scotland. Wherever it appears, it might be in very great numbers. In other parts of Europe very common too, but not in the Far North.
The Scarce Footman is a typical greyish Footman and very similar to some other species. Identification is usually not extremely difficult, combining the following two characteristics. The wings are folded around the body and the orange line on the edge of the front wing doesn't taper towards the wing top, but remains more or less the same. Old and worn animals may look like Grass Moths, but differ by having no snout, where Grass Moths always have one. However very old and worn animals often can not be told apart anymore. Even though the wingspan is 30 to 36 mm, making this species about as big as most of the others, it makes the impression of being smaller, because of the way the wings are curled around the body.
The eggs are being laid in summer and hatch within 4 weeks after being deposited. The young caterpillars of the Scarce Footman do eat, but not a lot and they don't grow very fast during this stage. The still very small larvae overwinter sitting on bark or in lyches, not taking any apparent precautions against winter. In April they become active again, start eating again and now grow rapidly. From June they'll pupate. They'll spin a cocoon, usually in a crevice of bark or among leaflitter on the ground, where pupation takes 3 to 6 weeks. The caterpillar of the Scarce Footman is very similar to others: brown with a faint black dorsal line en orange dots on each segment. The head is black. It will reach a length of some 22 to 26 mm. It's main food are lichens on trees and shrubs, but when there is not enough food it probably eats leaves as well (bramble has been mentioned).
The Scarce Footman flies in summer (from the end of June to the middle of August) and is seen both at day and at night. Not only does it fly during the day frequently, it even feeds in broad daylight. In our garden regularly seen on Hempweed, elsewhere reported from thistles. Is easily attracted by light. When feeding it behaves very well indeed and often is willingly posing for the camera. Caught when resting it remains unrestful for a long time and may be difficult to photograph. Very common in most of England and Wales, a local species in Ireland.
For a long time it was believed the Northern Footman (Eilema sericea) was a separate species found in Northern parts of England, Wales and on the Isle of Man. Nowadays the Northern Footman is considered to be a mere local variety of the Scarce Footman, for there is no difference at all in the genitals. Also the caterpillars are absolutely identical. The main differences are the food of the larvae (mosses) and the darker, greyish hindwing in the adult moths.
The Scarce Footman is a typical greyish Footman and very similar to some other species. Identification is usually not extremely difficult, combining the following two characteristics. The wings are folded around the body and the orange line on the edge of the front wing doesn't taper towards the wing top, but remains more or less the same. Old and worn animals may look like Grass Moths, but differ by having no snout, where Grass Moths always have one. However very old and worn animals often can not be told apart anymore. Even though the wingspan is 30 to 36 mm, making this species about as big as most of the others, it makes the impression of being smaller, because of the way the wings are curled around the body.
The eggs are being laid in summer and hatch within 4 weeks after being deposited. The young caterpillars of the Scarce Footman do eat, but not a lot and they don't grow very fast during this stage. The still very small larvae overwinter sitting on bark or in lyches, not taking any apparent precautions against winter. In April they become active again, start eating again and now grow rapidly. From June they'll pupate. They'll spin a cocoon, usually in a crevice of bark or among leaflitter on the ground, where pupation takes 3 to 6 weeks. The caterpillar of the Scarce Footman is very similar to others: brown with a faint black dorsal line en orange dots on each segment. The head is black. It will reach a length of some 22 to 26 mm. It's main food are lichens on trees and shrubs, but when there is not enough food it probably eats leaves as well (bramble has been mentioned).
The Scarce Footman flies in summer (from the end of June to the middle of August) and is seen both at day and at night. Not only does it fly during the day frequently, it even feeds in broad daylight. In our garden regularly seen on Hempweed, elsewhere reported from thistles. Is easily attracted by light. When feeding it behaves very well indeed and often is willingly posing for the camera. Caught when resting it remains unrestful for a long time and may be difficult to photograph. Very common in most of England and Wales, a local species in Ireland.
For a long time it was believed the Northern Footman (Eilema sericea) was a separate species found in Northern parts of England, Wales and on the Isle of Man. Nowadays the Northern Footman is considered to be a mere local variety of the Scarce Footman, for there is no difference at all in the genitals. Also the caterpillars are absolutely identical. The main differences are the food of the larvae (mosses) and the darker, greyish hindwing in the adult moths.
The Orange Footman is a striking species and can be identified easily: an all yellowish orange Footman. Another characteristic is that it is the first footman on the wing in spring time. Only a worn out and relatively late flying individual could present one with a problem. However the shape of the wing is another good thing about the Orange Footman. The edge of the front wing is strongly curved towards the tip of the wing and the tip itself is very blunt compared to other Footmen. The wingspan of some 18 to 22 mm makes this a rather small species.
The eggs are being laid by the end of spring and hatch from the end of June onwards. The larvae are active to the end of September. Than they produce a very flimsy cocoon, which is attached to lyches. In the cocoon the caterpillar pupates and as such overwinters. The first moths appear in April of the next year. The larvae of the Orange Footman do look like the caterpillars of other footman: black creatures with greyish hairs and a yellowish white dorsal line. Luckily they are easily identified by the white bar on the back, just behind the middle (on the 11th segment). The caterpillars will reach a length of some 18 to 22 mm. The caterpillars exclusively live on lyches on old trees and shrubs, such as birk, beech, oak and hawthorn.
The adult is on the wing in June mainly. Flies by night exclusively. The moths usually stay in the vicinity of the tree they grew up in, which is an old, lyches-clad tree. They can be attracted by light, but will not fly far from the tree. A trap under such an old tree however can produce a great number of Orange Footmen. Rests on leaves or branches during the day and remains seated once discovered. It thus is a very good photographer's model. A common, but extremely local species in southern parts of England and Wales. Does not live in Northern Europe. Is a common, but local species on the continent as well.
Unmistakable species: a black footman with a nice orange to red collar. The entire body when seen from above is black, except for the last 1/3rd part, which is yellowish or orange. The wingspan is somewhere between 28 to 36 mm.
Most eggs are laid in July and hatch in August. The larvae stop feeding towards the second half of October. Then they spin a brownish cocoon, in which they pupate and as such hibernate later on. The cocoons are attached to twigs or leaves or in crevices in tree trunks. However also found among or under mosses and plant debris. Usually the cocoons are found in small groups. The caterpillar of the Red-necked Footman is greyish green with dull orange blobs on the sides. It is similar to the caterpillars of other footmen, but has less, but longer hairs. The larvae grow to some 25 to 28 mm. They feed on algae, moss and lichen growing on trunks and branches of trees (especially oak, beech, firs), but also on those growing on rooftops and walls.
The Red-necked Footman is on the wing in June and July mainly. May sporadically be encountered in other months as well. Regularly flies around in broad daylight. This however is not often observed, as this species like to fly around the top of trees. However, quite often seen basking or mating on leaves or flowers in sunshine. Is attracted to light in the evenings, but usually in very small numbers only. The Red-necked footman prefers woodlands, but is sometimes also found in towns and even cities where it feeds on lichens on rooftops. Common and abundant in South-west England. In other parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales not uncommon, but rather local. Scarce in the Irish Republic and Southern Scotland. On the continent a locally abundant species, but not to be encountered in Northern Europe.
