Hantsmoths

Common on grassland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 6-9 mm. Day-flying, and often easily found by searching buttercup flowers on warm, sunny days, when the moths may congregate in large numbers to feed, or by netting over the foodplant. Three other similar species may also be encountered, but they are all scarce: G. schoenicolella, with hindwing dorsal cilia white in basal half; G. equitella, with additional silver dot in disc before apex; and G. forsterella, with silver dot in blackish apical spot (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds within ears of Cock's-foot and Tall Fescue, over-wintering in a cocoon.