Hantsmoths

Extinct in the British Isles, formerly in calcareous grassland in parts of south-eastern England. During the 20th Century there were a number of records along the North Downs from Folkestone to Dorking, including several formerly strong colonies; elsewhere there were isolated records from Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Chilterns in Buckinghamshire (MBGBI Vol 9). R L E Ford reported (in Goater (1974)) that one was taken at m.v. light in Stockbridge, 'about 1950'. Goater writes that 'while there is no reason to doubt the validity of the record, it is thought best to keep the species in square brackets, because the whereabouts of the specimen, and the exact date of capture, are unknown. Attempts to find the species again have so far been unsuccessful.' By 1960, the species was extremely local and on the verge of becoming extinct in the British Isles. Wingspan 38-50 mm. Larva feeds on Annual Meadow-grass, Wood Meadow-grass and other grasses.