Hantsmoths

Local on rough grassland, waste ground and roadside verges throughout much of the British Isles, less numerous in Scotland, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire widely but thinly distributed, records increasing in recent years; on the Island still rarely reported. Wingspan 15-20 mm. The comparatively large size, metallic green forewings with copper apex and white tip to antennae, make this species one of the few which can be identified without recourse to dissection of the genitalia, although the differences in size between this and other related species may only be obvious in series of mounted, set specimens. Larva feeds within seedpods of Ribbed Melilot and Tall Melilot, living within a movable case.