Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) in ancient woodland and woodland clearings in southern England and the Welsh Marches, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire extremely local in certain mature deciduous woods, flying by day in open, sunlit glades where the foodplant flourishes. The remaining strongholds are now Pamber and Harewood Forest in the north of the county, and Bentley Woods and Crab Wood/West Wood in the south. There are no recent records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 18-23 mm. An unmistakable, but nondescript, day-flying moth. Larva feeds on Wood Spurge, over-wintering as a pupa.