Four-spotted Footman
Lithosia quadra
This record describes Lithosia quadra (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35 to 55 mm. This is a sexually dimorphic species and only the females have the spots which give the species its name; often there appears to be only three spots, as the wings overlap when at rest. It flies from July to September or early October. The larvae feed on lichens on the bark of deciduous trees. Resident along the south-west coast of England and Wales, and is also an occasional migrant. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Lithosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually recorded at light.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from July to September or early October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on lichens on the bark of deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Resident along the south-west coast of England and Wales, and is also an occasional migrant. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithosia quadra. 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-spotted Footman (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Four-spotted Footman
What is Four-spotted Footman?
Four-spotted Footman (Lithosia quadra) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Four-spotted Footman found?
Habitat: Usually recorded at light.
When is Four-spotted Footman active?
Four-spotted Footman: seasonal activity - It flies from July to September or early October..
What is the life cycle of a Four-spotted Footman?
The larvae feed on lichens on the bark of deciduous trees.