Four-dotted Footman
Cybosia mesomella
This record describes Cybosia mesomella (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25 to 33 mm. When at rest, this moth appears to show only three dots, one being hidden by the overlapping wings. Occasional specimens have a more yellowish ground colour to the forewings. Adults fly from dusk onwards during the period from June to August. They can also be disturbed from low vegetation such as heather during the day. Commonest in the south of England and Wales, it can also be found locally in the rest of mainland Britain to parts of Scotland. There is only a single record for Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Cybosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting heaths and open woodland.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from dusk onwards during the period from June to August. They can also be disturbed from low vegetation such as heather during the day.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Commonest in the south of England and Wales, it can also be found locally in the rest of mainland Britain to parts of Scotland. There is only a single record for Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cybosia mesomella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Four-dotted Footman (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Four-dotted Footman
What is Four-dotted Footman?
Four-dotted Footman (Cybosia mesomella) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Four-dotted Footman found?
Habitat: Inhabiting heaths and open woodland.
When is Four-dotted Footman active?
Four-dotted Footman: seasonal activity - Adults fly from dusk onwards during the period from June to August. They can also be disturbed from low vegetation such as heather during the day..