Erebidae : Arctiinae
Dingy Footman
EILEMA griseola (Hübner, [1803])
Dingy Footman
EILEMA griseola (Hübner, [1803])
Life Cycle Guide
Description
Wingspan: 32-40mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Asia Minor : Crimea : Kazakhstan : Siberia : Amur : Primorye : Mongolia : China : Korea : Japan
UK Distribution: Resident : Common : Well distributed in Southern England and low lying Wales.
Extends locally north : Ireland-extremely rare : Channel Isles : Frequent and common.
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Prefers wet conditions like : Wet Meadows : Damp open Woods : Gardens
Similar Species -
Pupa: Pupates on the ground amongst plant debris
Overwinters as: Larva-found between late August to late May : The larvae feed on various lichens
Observations: Some of the EILEMA species are difficult to identify but the Dingy Footman has broad forewings with a curved costa, this being two of the obvious differences between this moth and its similar species namely the Common Footman E.lurideola and Buff Footman E.depressa.
In the grey form of this moth shown below there is a narrow distinctive straw coloured costal stripe which tapers towards the forewing apex.
Looking unlike a normal moth they come to rest with their wings folded over their back which gives an overall narrow look, but in flight they appear a much larger moth and also show off the yellow hindwings.
This is a moth that can be found on foliage during the day but I have found them often on garden fences.
They are attracted to light,sometimes in large numbers.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Asia Minor : Crimea : Kazakhstan : Siberia : Amur : Primorye : Mongolia : China : Korea : Japan
UK Distribution: Resident : Common : Well distributed in Southern England and low lying Wales.
Extends locally north : Ireland-extremely rare : Channel Isles : Frequent and common.
UK Conservation Status -
- Common = >300 10Km Squares
- Least Concern
- Bombyx griseola Hübner 1803
- Bombyx caniola Hübner, 1808
- Europe
Habitat: Prefers wet conditions like : Wet Meadows : Damp open Woods : Gardens
Similar Species -
- Buff Footman Eilema depressa Esper, 1787
- Common Footman Eilema lurideola Zincken, 1817
Pupa: Pupates on the ground amongst plant debris
Overwinters as: Larva-found between late August to late May : The larvae feed on various lichens
Observations: Some of the EILEMA species are difficult to identify but the Dingy Footman has broad forewings with a curved costa, this being two of the obvious differences between this moth and its similar species namely the Common Footman E.lurideola and Buff Footman E.depressa.
In the grey form of this moth shown below there is a narrow distinctive straw coloured costal stripe which tapers towards the forewing apex.
Looking unlike a normal moth they come to rest with their wings folded over their back which gives an overall narrow look, but in flight they appear a much larger moth and also show off the yellow hindwings.
This is a moth that can be found on foliage during the day but I have found them often on garden fences.
They are attracted to light,sometimes in large numbers.
Photo Gallery
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Genus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - EILEMA: Original Species Name: Species Names: Genus Group Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Forms/Aberrations: Subspecies: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Noctuoidea Erebidae Arctiinae Lithosiini EILEMA Hübner, [1819] Eilema griseola (Hübner, [1803]) - Bombyx caniola Hübner, 1808 - BOMBYX griseola (Hübner [1803]) = Eilema griseolum (Hubner, [1803]) = Lithosia flava Haworth, 1809 = Lithosia plumbeolata Stephens, 1829 = Lithosia stramineola Doubleday, 1847 = Eilema stramineola Doubleday, 1847 = pallida Lempke, 1961 = aurantiaca Lempke, 1961 = Ilema griseola - =EILEMA Hübner 1819 = Zobida Birket-Smith 1965 - Sammlung europäischer Schmetterlinge / errichtet von Jacob Hübner in Augsburg. By Hübner, Jacob, 1761-1826 : Lepidoptera 111 : Bombycae 11 : : pl. 23, f. 97 - Europe - E.g.flava Haworth, 1809-All wings very pale - E.g.griseolum Hübner, 1803-Europe : Crimea : Siberia : Mongolia E.g.vetusta Walker, 1854-Amur : Primorye : Sakhalin : Japan : N.China : E.China |
