Red-necked Footman
Atolmis rubricollis
This record describes Atolmis rubricollis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25 to 35 mm. A dark species but notable for its distinctive red neck. The single generation flies in June and July, when it can sometimes be found flying in the daytime. It is also nocturnal, coming to light Feeding on lichens and algae growing on tree-trunks, the larvae live in autumn, and the species overwinters as a pupa. A primarily woodland species, which is distributed locally in the south and west of England and Wales, and parts of Ireland. Occasional records from elsewhere are considered to be probable migrants. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Atolmis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well wooded areas.
Seasonal Activity
The single generation flies in June and July, when it can sometimes be found flying in the daytime. It is also nocturnal, coming to light
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Feeding on lichens and algae growing on tree-trunks, the larvae live in autumn, and the species overwinters as a pupa.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A primarily woodland species, which is distributed locally in the south and west of England and Wales, and parts of Ireland. Occasional records from elsewhere are considered to be probable migrants. 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 Atolmis rubricollis. 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 Red-necked Footman (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-necked Footman
What is Red-necked Footman?
Red-necked Footman (Atolmis rubricollis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Red-necked Footman found?
Habitat: Well wooded areas.
When is Red-necked Footman active?
Red-necked Footman: seasonal activity - The single generation flies in June and July, when it can sometimes be found flying in the daytime. It is also nocturnal, coming to light.
What is the life cycle of a Red-necked Footman?
Feeding on lichens and algae growing on tree-trunks, the larvae live in autumn, and the species overwinters as a pupa.