Scarce Footman Moth

Eilema complana · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae

Also called: Scarce Footman

No source yet on danger. We have no source yet on whether it bites, stings or damages anything.

The scarce footman moth has a wingspan of about 28 to 35 mm. It lives across the Palearctic region.

How to recognize it

The forewing is less elongated than that of Eilema morosinum, with a broader, brighter yellow costal streak and less accentuated angles; the hindwing is duller and less transparent, and the abdomen tip is brighter yellow. On the underside the disc is a deep iron-grey that sharply contrasts with an orange-yellow costa and a broad pale-yellow margin; the hindwing underside is pale yellow with a deeper yellow costa and a grey streak below the costa from the base.

Source: Wikipedia

Size

Wingspan ranges from 28 to 35 mm.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it lives

It is found throughout the Palearctic region.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

Larvae eat lichens such as Parmelia and also consume dry and tender leaves.

Source: Wikipedia

Life cycle

Adults are on the wing from June to August, varying with location.

Source: Wikipedia

When you see it

Flight period is June through August, depending on where it lives.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it comes from

Its native range covers the entire Palearctic region.

Source: Wikipedia

Lookalikes

It is very similar to Eilema morosinum but can be distinguished by the less elongated forewing, broader yellow costal streak, duller hindwing, and brighter yellow abdomen tip.

Source: Wikipedia

More photos

Scarce Footman Moth photo 2 — Photo: iNaturalist user, CC0

Scarce Footman Moth photo 3 — Photo: Jason Grant, CC BY

Scarce Footman Moth photo 4 — Photo: iNaturalist user, CC0

Scarce Footman Moth photo 5 — Photo: iNaturalist user, CC0

Questions people ask

What do the larvae eat?

The caterpillars feed on lichens like Parmelia and on dry or tender leaves.

Source: Wikipedia

Where is the scarce footman moth found?

It occurs throughout the Palearctic region.

Source: Wikipedia

How can I tell it apart from similar moths?

It has a less elongated forewing, a broader bright-yellow costal streak, a duller hindwing, and a brighter yellow tip on the abdomen compared with Eilema morosinum.

Source: Wikipedia