Hantsmoths

Local on saltmarshes, marshes, heathland, downland, golf courses and sand-dunes throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight much less common than formerly, with few recent records scattered through the three vice-counties, but perhaps overlooked amongst the myriad Clouded Drab. Wingspan 34-40 mm. Some of the darker, more unicolorous forms of Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta resemble the most common form of Northern Drab, f. brunnea but differ as follows: male antenna bipectinate; apex of forewing not pointed; subterminal line less conspicuous and less straight, particularly at extremities; cilia of hindwing pale fuscous (MBGBI Vol 9). Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti is another possible confusion species, but that species has forewing with costa less straight and apex more rounded. Larva feeds on Sallow, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Mugwort, Common Sea-lavender, herbaceous plants and woody plants, over-wintering as a pupa.