Hantsmoths

Naturalised through accidental introduction in dried goods in barns, warehouses, granaries and container ports throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire larvae were found on imported garlic in Basingstoke in 1990, and one was found indoors in Stubbington in 2007. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 15-22 mm. One of six very similar species of Ephestia found in the UK, which are generally separable only by dissection of the genitalia, most wild-caught individuals being E. unicolorella, with the other five species favouring warehouses. Larva feeds on dried fruit, nuts, wheat-flour, dried goods, cereals and grain, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.

VC11 South Hampshire

VC12 North Hampshire