Buff Footman
ExploreInsects
Buff Footman
Eilema depressa
The Buff Footman is a fuzzy little caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth! They are often found in gardens and fields, munching on leaves and enjoying the sunshine.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Buff Footman is a small, slender moth with buff to orange-yellow forewings, often featuring a darker streak along the front edge. Its hindwings are usually paler yellow or cream. The body is also yellowish, giving it a uniform, plain appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusKatha
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Buff Footman caterpillars are like tiny forest gardeners, keeping trees clean by eating algae.
Finding these moths often means the air quality is good, as lichens they eat are sensitive!
Its name 'Footman' comes from how it folds its wings tightly, like a footman's coat!
This moth's larvae sometimes build cocoons that look like fuzzy grey tubes stuck to bark.
Special abilities
Ability
Lichen Muncher
Buff Footman caterpillars can eat lichens and algae because of special enzymes that help them digest these tough forest snacks.
Ability
Fuzzy Shield
Buff Footman caterpillars have fuzzy hairs that help protect them by irritating predators who try to take a bite.
Ability
Night Glider
Buff Footman moths can fly at night, which helps them find food and mates while avoiding daytime predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-30 mm
- Size
- 10-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Moth sips nectar, caterpillar munches on unique forest snacks like lichen and algae.
Age differences: Larvae eat lichen and algae, while adult moths sip nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- lichen
- algae
- tree sap
- nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Common Orange Lichen
Xanthoria parietina
Caterpillars graze on this lichen growing on trees.
eaten by
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Bats hunt adult moths flying at night for food.
eaten by
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Birds may prey on caterpillars or adult moths.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch caterpillars, as some can be sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buff Footman's wingspan?
25-30 mm
How big is Buff Footman?
10-15 mm
How long does Buff Footman live?
10-20 days
How fast can Buff Footman fly?
8 km/h
What does Buff Footman eat?
Moth sips nectar, caterpillar munches on unique forest snacks like lichen and algae.
Where is Buff Footman usually found?
Grasslands
How does Buff Footman hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Buff Footman have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
