72.049 : 2043 : 10,499
Eribidae : Arctiinae

Orange Footman

EILEMA sororcula (Hufnagel, 1766)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 27-30mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe (northern Iberian Peninsula to south Scandinavia and Finland to Sicily & Greece) to China
UK Distribution: Suspected immigrant : Local - Found mostly from South-west to central & South East England,Isle of Wight & South Wales. East Anglia & Lincolnshire - very local,suspected immigrants.Chanel Isles - Jersey -widespread and frequent, Guernsey - rare
UK Conservation Status -
  • Local = 101 - 300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena sororcula (Hufnagle, 1766)
Type Species - Eilema
  • Bombyx caniola Hübner, 1808
Type Locality -
  • Not Specified
Flight Period: South - mid May to mid August : Elsewhere - late May to June
Habitat: Woodland with mature Oak & Beech : Blackthorn Scrub
Similar Species -
  • Dingy Footman - Eilema griseola (Hübner, 1803)
  • Buff Footman - Eilema depressa (Esper, 1787)
Larva: The larva feeds on lichen growing on mature trees like Oak and Beech.The larva is black with tufts of bristly hair along the side and longer hair at both ends.Viewed from above both end of the larva is white and two yellow lateral lines which are interrupted at about 40% along the larva by a wider yellow patch.The lines have reddish spots along the two lateral lines equidistant at each abdominal segment.
Pupa: Pupates in a thin grey cocoon
Overwinters as: Larva
Observations: The shape of the orange forewing readily identifies this moth with a straight line at the costa for two thirds, before strongly curving towards the wing apex.

The wing has light venation although worn individuals are usually paler.

The yellow forms of the similar species Dingy & Buff Footman are larger than this moth and the costa is more evenly curved.

The moth which flies from dusk is attracted to light and can be found at the moth trap in fairly large numbers.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Larvae feed on lichen growing on a wide variety of trees
Taxonomy
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Type Species - EILEMA:

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Forms:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Lithosiini
EILEMA Hübner, [1819]
Eilema sororcula (Hufnagel, 1766)
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Bombyx caniola Hübner, 1808
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PHALAENA sororcula (Hufnagle, 1766)
= crocella Geoffroy, 1785
= Noctua unita Esper, 1787
= crocinella de Villers, 1789
= Bombyx aureola Hübner, [1803]
= aurantia Haworth, 1809
= flava Lempke, 1938
= Ilema sororcula
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EILEMA Hübner, [1819]
= Zobida Birket-Smith 1965
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Berlin. Magazin. 3 (4): Title Page : p. 398 - n.72
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Not Specified
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E.s.f.plumbea Rebel, 1912 - slightly duller - lighter fringe