Hantsmoths

Local on dry pastures, downland, waste ground and sand-dunes throughout the British Isles, predominantly coastal in the north of its range. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight frequent only in and around Portsea Island. Wingspan 10-15 mm. Flies in afternoon sunshine. The pronounced olive-grey general appearance of the forewing, the dense irroration, the silvery white ground colour, silvery plumbeous striae and obscure fasciate pattern are characteristic [Bradley]. Day-flying habits and preference for Yarrow are shared by the closely related D. sequana, which see. Larva feeds within roots of Yarrow.