Atolmis rubricollis

The red-necked footman is a small moth that is mostly charcoal grey or deep dark brown (fresh specimens almost black), but has a conspicuous orange thorax, part of which is visible behind the black head as an orange-red collar. The hindwings are brownish grey. The antennae and legs are black and the end of the abdomen is yellowish orange or golden yellow. The wings are tightly folded together around the body and have pleated, squared-off ends. The wingspan is and the length of the forewings is . (MHNT) Atolmis rubricollis - Mont Lachens (Var) - male dorsal.jpg|♂ (MHNT) Atolmis rubricollis - Mont Lachens (Var) - male ventral.jpg|♂ △ Wilhelm Neuburger named Romanian specimens as the synonym Atolmis flavicollis; these were less dark brown and with a light yellow instead of a red collar. == Life cycle ==

The white eggs of the red-necked footman are laid in small groups in crevices in the branches of trees, especially those of old firs. The caterpillars feed on lichens growing on the trunks and branches of trees, Sometimes the moths feed at scabiouses and other flowers, but they usually rest during the day on the long branches of firs overhanging paths in woods, where they may be obtained by beating the branches over a net. == Distribution ==

The red-necked footman is found in Europe south to the Mediterranean and east across the Palearctic to temperate Asia, including Siberia as far east as the Amur River and China. It is found in parts of Ireland, and in the United Kingdom is present in the south-westerly counties of England and Wales. Records from other parts of the United Kingdom probably represent accidentals and not breeding populations. It is a woodland species found in deciduous and coniferous woodland, especially on spruce trees, but also on pine, oak and beech. It likes to be near streams in cool wooded valleys in upland regions. Atolmis rubricollis 02 (HS).jpg|Caterpillar Atolmis rubricollis 03 (HS).jpg|Pupa Red-necked_Footman.jpg|Adult feeding == References ==