Hantsmoths

Local in woodland edges in parts of southern England and southern Wales. In Hampshire a rare or, more probably, overlooked species, with notable populations in Pamber Forest and Botley Wood. On the Isle of Wight, first recorded in 1972 in Parkhurst Forest, with no other records received until 2009, when one was at Freshwater. Wingspan 12-14 mm. The small size of this species and the dark coloration and ochreous-yellow apical area of the forewing are characteristic [Bradley], although it does bear a superficial resemblance to the far more common Pseudargyrotoza conwagana. Larva feeds within berries of Buckthorn, Alder Buckthorn and Dogwood.