Hantsmoths

Local in rough meadows and waste ground throughout much of England, especially in the south-east, and also in the Scottish Highlands. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight under-recorded and confusable with the other Phycitodes species, and has been bred on several occasions from the heads of Common Ragwort, from both coastal and inland localities - despite its specific name, it is not tied to the coast. Wingspan 18-22 mm. This species is intermediate in size between P. binaevella and P. saxicola, is shorter-winged than the former and more robust than the latter; its spot pattern resembles that of P. saxicola, though the slightly different positioning of the two discal dots does seem to be fairly constant [Goater]. Larva feeds within flowerheads of Yarrow, Tansy, Groundsel and Common Ragwort.