Hantsmoths

Common in birch woodland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire widespread and common throughout. On the Isle of Wight, the only recent record is of one in Combley Great Wood in October 2005. Wingspan 13-16 mm. Distinguished from E. bilunana by the grey general appearance of the forewing and particularly the comparatively solid and sharply defined triangular patch on the dorsum; the male of E. ramella lacks the costal fold on the forewing [Bradley]. E. ramella flies later in the year than the similar E. bilunana and, like that species, comes freely to light. Larva feeds within catkins of Birch.