Cybosia mesomella (Linn.) Four-dotted Footman
p49. Resident, very local and scarce. 49 Loughton, 1984 (KJA); 90 Bradwell-on-Sea, 1979
(AJD); 11 St Osyth, 1982 (RWA); 12 Wix, 1976 (RM). All these records, well away from the
species' two known breeding areas (see Guide), clearly refer to wanderers.
Pelosia muscerda (Hufn.) Dotted Footman
p51. Migrant, very rare. 70 Danbury Ridge, 19 July 1983 (GAP); 90 Bradwell-on-Sea, 24 July
1983 (AJD).
Eilema sororcula (Hufn.)
p50. Formerly local resident; no records post-Guide.
Eilema griseola (Hb.)
p49. Resident, local; locally fairly common.
Orange Footman
Dingy Footman
Eilema pygmaeola (Doubl.) Pigmy Footman
p50. Migrant, very rare; two records only (at Bradwell-on-Sea, 1958 and 1961,) *.
Eilema complana (Linn.)
p50. Resident, fairly widespread and locally common.
Scarce Footman
Eilema deplana (Esp.) Buff Footman
p49. Formerly very rare vagrant; now probably very local resident. 51 Wall Wood, a number, 17
July 1983 (per GHBS); 53 Saffron Walden, two, 15 July 1982 (AME); 88 Thundersley, 26 July
1979 (DGD).
Eilema lurideola (Zinck.)
p50. Resident, widespread and common.
Common Footman
Lithosia quadra (Linn.) Four-spotted Footman
p49. Migrant, rare (very rare since 1960). 70 Danbury Ridge, 3 Aug. 1984 (SW); 90 Bradwell-on-
Sea, 30 June 1973 (AJD); 12 Hamford Water, lO Oct. 1979 (JBF).
Arctiinae
The tiger and ermine moths are mostly brightly coloured insects with fairly stout bodies and broad
wings. Most are medium-sized or large moths. The haustellum is non-functional in some species. The
densely hairy larvae are polyphagous on broad-leaved herbaceous plants. The overwintering stage is
the larva in tigers and the pupa in ermines. The pupa is contained in a cocoon reinforced with larval
hairs. Thirteen of the 15 British species are known in Essex, eight of them now resident in the
county.
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