Hantsmoths

Common in gardens and urban areas throughout much of the British Isles, north to the Highlands of Scotland. In Hampshire widespread and often abundant in gardens in the vicinity of Laburnum, rather less common on the Isle of Wight. Form wailesella (Stainton 1857), previously considered a separate species, has been recorded, on Hayling Island in 1982. Wingspan 7-9 mm. Imago similar to L. spartifoliella; easily overlooked and not particularly common at light; more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Laburnum, and also has been reported on Dyer's Greenweed; over-winters as a pupa.