Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) on calcareous grassland in England, mainly in the south. On the Island, reported as being present on Bembridge Down in the Victorian History of 1900, and Shanklin in the mid 1800s, the only relatively modern record is from Freshwater in 1947. Not recorded from Hampshire to date. Wingspan 14-17 mm. Confusion species include A. carduella, in which the forewing is pinkish, with a pair of obliquely placed black dots in the disc at one-third, A. assimilella, in which the forewing has a row of terminal dark fuscous dots on the apex of the hindwing, and A. kuznetzovi , in which the forewing has a black dot on the dorsum near the base, and a terminal row of dark fuscous dots (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva mines leaves of Carline Thistle, living and feeding within a spun or rolled leaf.

VC10 Isle of Wight