Hantsmoths

Local in pine woodland, plantations and nurseries throughout much of England and Wales, rare elsewhere. In Hampshire common in Scots Pine woodland, especially in young plantations. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1948 at Cranmore in 2004. Wingspan 16-24 mm. Distinguished from R. pinicolana by the straighter costa, the distinctly orange markings and the triangular pre-tornal marking of the forewing, and the generally darker hindwings [Bradley]. Larva feeds within needles and young shoots of Scots Pine, Lodgepole Pine and Corsican Pine, subsequently burrowing into and feeding on developing buds, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.