Four-spotted Footman

Lithosia quadra · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae

Damages trees, gardens or crops. When they become overly abundant, the larvae can damage tree leaves and needles, harming trees and garden plants.

Source: Wikipedia

The four-spotted footman moth has a wingspan of about 35 to 55 mm, with males smaller than females. Males show gray wings with a yellow joint and a blue-black stripe on the forewing edge, while females have yellow wings marked with two blue-black dots. It lives across southern and central Europe into the Palearctic, reaching Japan, and is also found in southern Britain and Scandinavia.

Source: Wikipedia

Size

The wingspan ranges from 35 to 55 mm. Males are smaller than females.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it lives

It is also present in southern Great Britain and Scandinavia.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

Larvae feed on lichens and algae that grow on trees, walls, and stones, especially oak. When food becomes scarce due to over-abundance, larvae may start eating tree leaves and needles, causing damage.

Source: Wikipedia

Life cycle

Adults fly from June to September, varying with location. In the southern part of the range a second brood can appear occasionally.

Source: Wikipedia

When you see it

Flight period is June to September, depending on where they live. A second generation may occur in southern areas.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it comes from

It is native to southern Britain and Scandinavia as well.

Source: Wikipedia

Lookalikes

Japanese specimens sometimes have darker males, but this is not a consistent difference. European specimens show considerable variation in female size and male colouration.

Source: Wikipedia