Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Na) on damp heathland and mosses in parts of England and southern and central Scotland. In Hampshire a rare and local species, single specimens have been recorded in the past from Emer Bog, Botley Wood, Woolmer Forest and Oxenbourne MR. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 12-14 mm. The dark purplish brown general coloration and the usually obscure medio-dorsal blotch of ground colour of the forewing, and in the male the black patch of scales along the costa of the hindwing, are characteristic [Bradley]. Larva feeds within catkins of Birch.

VC11 South Hampshire