Hantsmoths

Common in gardens, woodland, hedgerows, downs, fens, moors and sand-dunes throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 24-27 mm. The oft quoted field mark used to distinguish this species from red forms of Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet X. ferrugata, the notch on the inner edge of the cross-band, close to the costa, has proven to be unreliable, and only moths with black cross-bands can be assigned to this species without dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on Bedstraw, Ground-ivy and Dock, over-wintering as a pupa.