Hantsmoths

Rare (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) in woods, parkland and gardens throughout England, although true distribution poorly known due to confusion with the much rarer D. augustella. In Hampshire known only from a number of specimens taken between 1979 and 1993 at light in Southsea. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 9-12 mm; D. augustella has a purplish tinge to the ground colour; the forewing fasciae are broader and more yellow, the antemedian being hardly narrower at the costa than at the dorsum, and the median is always confluent with the tornal spot (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva feeds within bark of European Larch, Field Maple, Lime, Apple and Elm.

VC11 South Hampshire