The common fan-foot is a moth of broadleaved woodland where the larvae begin development on fresh or wilting foliage of oak, Quercus spp, and probably other trees and shrubs. They later prefer withered and decaying leaves on the tree or on the ground.
The moth formerly occurred throughout most of southern England and Wales, but it has declined greatly in recent decades and now survives in only a small number of oakwoods on heavy clay soils in the Midlands and south-central England. The species has been reported from almost every country in Europe except Albania, Greece, Crete and Turkey, but its current status is unclear. The range extends eastwards through Russia to Japan.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Nationally Scarce.
Some of the surviving populations are on SSSIs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all known sites.
Enhance the population size at all known sites by 2010.
Restore viable populations to five additional sites within the historic range by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Where appropriate, include the requirements of the species when preparing or revising prescriptions for agri-environment (farm woodland) or woodland management schemes. (ACTION: NE, FC, MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that all occupied and nearby potential habitat is appropriately managed by 2005, for example through SSSI or woodland grant scheme management agreements. (ACTION: NE, FC, MAFF)
Increase the available habitat on the known sites and in adjacent sites, and attempt to link up existing fragments of habitat. (ACTION: NE, FC)
Ensure that the habitat requirements of the common fan-foot are taken into account in relevant development policies, plans and proposals, and forest (re)planting proposals. (ACTION: FC, LAs)
Ensure that the common fan-foot is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Reintroduce the common fan-foot to a series of former sites, if necessary to establish five new viable populations. (ACTION: NE)
Advise landowners and managers of the presence of the species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake surveys by 2004 to determine the status of the species. (ACTION: NE)
Conduct targeted autecological research to inform habitat management. (ACTION: NE)
Establish a regular monitoring programme for the species in all core areas, including an assessment of potential sites, to monitor the effectiveness of management agreements. (ACTION: NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to a central database for incorporation in national and international databases. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation of this species and the conservation issues associated with its habitat. This should be achieved through articles within appropriate journals, as well as by a publicity leaflet. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
The following LBAPs are working on Pechipogo strigilata:
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV: Invertebrates (March 1999, Tranche 2, Vol IV, p375)
Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species