Species Details

ABH: 72.041

BF: 2051

Family: Erebidae

Subfamily: Arctiinae

Taxon: Lithosia quadra

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular: Four-spotted Footman

Account: Local in broad-leaved woodland in southern England and western Wales, sporadically as far north as Ross-shire and the Isle of Man. It is probable that the population is from time to time reinforced by immigration Although only the female has spots, the large size precludes confusion with other Lithosiinae. The unspotted male is much more common to light then the female. Larva feeds on lichens growing on oak trees.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: male 35 — 40 mm; female 40 — 55 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 21 Jun (2025) — 12 Oct (2025)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant: Lichenes, Peltigera canina (a lichen).

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌

Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/lithosia-quadra/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 60

Individuals: 30

Earliest Year: 1840

Latest Year: 2025

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