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Hoary Footman

Eilema caniola

The Hoary Footman is a fuzzy caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth. It has soft, hairy skin that helps it blend in with its surroundings, making it a special little creature in nature.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Hoary Footman is a slender moth with an overall grey appearance. Its forewings are pale grey, often with a yellow or orange stripe along the leading edge and a vibrant yellow head and thorax. The hindwings are a lighter, plain greyish-white.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusEilema
Hoary Footman
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgegrassland trait badge
Hoary Footman

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult Hoary Footman moths often hide their bright yellow heads by tucking wings back.

Baby Hoary Footman, called caterpillars, love munching on fuzzy lichens from rocks!

Its name "Hoary" means frosted or grey-haired, describing its moth appearance!

They spin a silken cocoon under stones or bark to transform into a moth!

Special abilities

Ability

Chemical Armor

Hoary Footman can absorb toxins from lichens, which helps them taste very bad to predators.

Ability

Hairy Shield

Hoary Footman has dense, bristly hairs as a caterpillar that help them avoid being eaten by predators.

Ability

Night Navigator

Hoary Footman can fly accurately in darkness using advanced senses, which helps them find mates and food.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
28-35 mm
Size
12-16 mm
Lifespan
7-20 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young Hoary Footman munch on lichens, while adults may sip nectar or nothing at all!

Age differences: Larvae primarily eat lichens and algae. Adults may occasionally feed on nectar, but some do not feed at all.

Primary Foods

  • Lichens
  • Xanthoria parietina
  • Lecanora muralis
  • Algae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Wall Lichen

Xanthoria parietina

Larvae feed on this widespread lichen.

eats

Greater Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis myotis

Bats are nocturnal predators of flying moths.

eats

Great Tit

Parus major

Small birds may prey on resting moths or caterpillars.

Traits

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 Hoary Footman's wingspan?

28-35 mm

How big is Hoary Footman?

12-16 mm

How long does Hoary Footman live?

7-20 days

What does Hoary Footman eat?

Young Hoary Footman munch on lichens, while adults may sip nectar or nothing at all!

Where is Hoary Footman usually found?

Grasslands

How does Hoary Footman hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Hoary Footman have?

6

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