Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) in saltmarshes throughout much of England, Wales and western Ireland; the most widespread and common of the saltmarsh Coleophoridae feeding on Chenopodiaceae (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight present in suitable habitat in the south-east of the county and on the north coast of the Island. Wingspan 12-14 mm. Like many of the Coleophora, imagines are virtually impossible to identify without recourse to dissection, and the larvae, which live in cases of characteristic form and which can sometimes be found on the foodplant, may be easier to identify by comparison against a reference collection. Larva feeds on seeds of Sea-purslane, Annual Sea-blite, Glasswort and Grass-leaved Orache, living within a movable case.