Hantsmoths

Local in wet moorland, marshes and mosses, in northern and western Britain, but distribution poorly known owing to confusion with Saltern Ear. Not recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 30-36 mm. Very similar to Saltern Ear A. fucosa, from which often only separable by dissection of the genitalia, but underside of Large Ear is usually strongly marked with a conspicuous discal spot and a thick, strongly sinuate postmedian line on the hindwing (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass, over-wintering as an egg.