Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) in dry grassland, hedgerows and open woodland in England, but absent from East Anglia and adjacent counties; formerly considered to be restricted to the north but it has been taken in many southern counties in recent years; scattered records from Wales; in Scotland mainly in the south, but recorded also from Banffshire (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Not recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-14 mm. C. alsinella, has more white scaling in the central part of the forewing and lacks the small orange-ochreous patch in the basal area, the costal and dorsal spots are wider and it is usually smaller, but there is a wide overlap in size; C. fraternella has similar coloration, but the dark bar from the costa to the fold is lost in the general dark coloration extending along the costa (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on shoots and leaves of Red Campion, White Campion and Sticky Catchfly, subsequently burrowing into and feeding within the stem.