Hantsmoths

Common immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing throughout the British Isles, abundantly in some years, but most frequently and numerously in the south. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight a common immigrant, which is widely distributed throughout in some years. Wingspan 25-34 mm. Until recently, this was regarded as an absolutely unmistakable species, but it is now known to comprise a species complex of considerable size, one of which, N. nearctica, has been recorded in Britain. Larva feeds on Leguminosae, over-wintering as a pupa.