Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Na) in coniferous woodland and plantations in parts of south-eastern England. In Hampshire formerly more widely recorded in the New Forest, but recently found only at three sites: Lower Test Marsh SSSI, Hurn and Ashurst. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan male 19-21 mm, female 22-28 mm. The conspicuous purple-brown ground colour of the forewing and the dark grey-brown hindwing distinguish the male of this species from those of A. podana and A. betulana; the chestnut-brown markings and characteristic weakly strigulate pattern of the forewing distinguish the female [Bradley]. Larva feeds within needles and young shoots of Scots Pine, European Silver-fir, Norway Spruce and Juniper.

VC11 South Hampshire