Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) on south-facing hillsides, sea cliffs, quarries and sand-dunes, along the coasts of England and Wales from Dorset to Cornwall, northwards to the Inner Hebrides, including the western coast of Ireland and Scotland; also inland in a few sites in southern and northern England. In Hampshire it appears to be a species of the chalk, where the food plant occurs: recorded from VC11 (Broughton Down) just once, in 2000 with the remaining county records all in VC12, and all to light: Micheldever, in July 1935 and June 1951, and nearby at East Stratton in June 1988, two from Porton Down (July 2000 and 2003), and one near Andover in June 2009. One bred ex-larva on thyme from Compton Bay in July 1948 and in K G Blair's collection dated 15.vi.49 (ref Goater 1974) is the only record from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-18 mm. The most likely confusion species is Channel Islands Pug E. ultimaria, which see for differences. Larva feeds on flowers of Wild Thyme, over-wintering as a pupa.

VC10 Isle of Wight

VC11 South Hampshire

VC12 North Hampshire