Hantsmoths

Local in birch woodland in parts of the Scottish Highlands, appearing in recent years as a migrant in southern England, where temporarily established. In Hampshire this species was first recorded in the county from larvae collected in Botley Wood in vice-county 11 by John Langmaid in 1991; a remarkable discovery, given that previously it was known only from the Highlands of Scotland. Subsequent discoveries elsewhere in birch woodland in vice-county 11 indicate that it is most likely a new arrival which is spreading; the individual shown here was the first for the north of the county, and was followed closely by another found on a tree trunk during a trapping session on Hook Common in 2003. On the Isle of Wight recorded for the first time in 1997, with another in 2012 at Cranmore. Wingspan 18-22 mm. The nominate form and f. tripunctana of this species resemble specimens of the autumn generation of A. kochiella. Larva feeds on Silver Birch and Downy Birch, living within a spun or rolled leaf.