Bug FAQCommon Footman
Eilema lurideola · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The Common Footman moth has a wingspan of about 31 to 38 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The forewings are grey with a yellow-buff streak along the leading edge. The hindwings are a uniform cream colour.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 31 mm to 38 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs across Europe and eastward through the Palearctic to Lake Baikal. Larvae are found on the trunks of beech and oak, and adults are often collected from lower branches of solitary larches in Alpine valleys.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed mainly on lichens such as Parmelia, and have also been recorded on buckthorn and oak. The larvae are dark lilac-grey with a black dorsal line, black head, and bear black and yellow hairs.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The species overwinters as a hibernating larva, which resumes development until the end of May. Pupae are reddish-brown and glossy.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are nocturnal flyers in July and August and are attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers. The flight season given refers to the British Isles and may vary elsewhere.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers Europe and extends east through the Palearctic to Lake Baikal.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see the Common Footman moth?
Adults are active at night during July and August and are drawn to lights and flowering plants.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
They mainly eat lichens such as Parmelia, but will also feed on buckthorn and oak.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_footman
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.