Orange Footman - Eilema sororcula

Wingspan 27 to 30 mm. Noticeably orange in colour.

Mainly a woodland species.

The single brood flies in May and June, when it can be attracted to light.

The larvae live on lichens growing on the trunks of Oak and Beech trees.

This moth is distributed in the southern half of Britain, rarely reaching further north than East Anglia. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).