Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) on moorland, heathland and in mountains throughout much of the British Isles, more widespread in the north. In Hampshire it has been reported in the past from Mark Ash and Matley in the New Forest, Chilworth and Pamber Forest, but the only recent records are from the north of the New Forest in 2004 and 2007. Wingspan 9-12 mm. A distinctive species which differs from R. stagnana by its smaller size, relatively broad forewing, the submetallic silvery plumbeous suffusion of the ground colour, and the invariably well-defined basal patch [Bradley]. Larva feeds on Bilberry and Bog Bilberry, living between leaves and shoots spun together with silk, over-wintering in a cocoon.

VC11 South Hampshire