Hantsmoths

Very common in woodland, scrub and hedgerows throughout much of the British Isles, except for the Northern Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight abundant wherever hazel occurs (it likely occurs in virtually every 1-km square in the county where hazel grows). The mine is one of the most easily found in the autumn countryside, forming a silvery, upper-side blotch, crossing veins and there may be multiple on the same leaf. The mine may contract later to cause leaf to fold upwards. The adult moth, like many Phyllonorycter species, is less distinctive and unless bred from a mine, records will require dissection for acceptance: given the ease of identification at the larval stage, this is probably not worthwhile.