Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) in streams, small rivers and shallow pools in parts of Britain and southern Ireland. In Hampshire reportedly locally common in locations in the Southampton and New Forest area by Fassnidge in the 1920s, but after a couple of scattered reports in the 1970s not recorded again until 2004, when one came to light in Southsea. In recent times recorded on Merritown Heath in 2017 and 2021. The only report from the Isle of Wight is from 1934, at Alverstone (Stowell, J Soc Brit Ent,1934). Wingspan 11-14 mm. Similar to G. minimana, a species not recorded in our area, distinguished by the less angulate median fascia of the forewing and the pre-apical spot which is usually strigulate or fractured in the tornal area [Bradley]. Larva feeds within flowering shoots of Water-plantain.

VC10 Isle of Wight

VC11 South Hampshire