Hantsmoths

Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) in rough pastures and woodland rides, declining, and now probably restricted to Hampshire and adjoining counties, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire recorded recently from Beaulieu, Hayling Island, Stubbington and, most notably, Botley Wood; on the Isle of Wight recorded recently only from Newtown NR. Wingspan 17-22 mm. Almost always recorded in the larval stage, when the cases are fairly easy to find where they are present; the adult can only be separated from similar Coleophora by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of Dyer's Greenweed, living within a movable case; case length 19 mm.