Hantsmoths

Extinct in the British Isles, formerly on chalk sea cliffs near Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, where it was discovered in the early 1890s. It was recorded in fair numbers for the next 20 years, and again in July 1931, when last seen. Attempts to re-discover this species on the Isle of Wight have always failed, but an isolated record from Hampshire, in Portsmouth, in 1954 gave hope that it may still lurk somewhere in the area. Wingspan 19-22 mm. It is unlikely that records of this species will be accepted unless the specimen is retained for examination, and care needs to be taken to eliminate the very much more common Dwarf Cream Wave I. fuscovenosa; in Isle of Wight Wave the costal streak is reddish-brown and it lacks the series of short dashes along termen of both hind- and fore-wings of Dwarf Cream Wave. Larva feeds on various herbaceous plants, including Common Restharrow and Germander Speedwell, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

VC10 Isle of Wight

VC11 South Hampshire