Hantsmoths

Local in gardens, allotments and farmland, and on downland and rough ground throughout the British Isles, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight there are still scattered records, but numbers have declined drastically recently, and records will no longer be accepted without convincing evidence. Wingspan 32-40 mm. Some forms can be confused with White-line Dart E. tritici, but that is a neater, more sharply marked insect; the presence of the claviform stigma, as well as the relatively longer and narrower forewing, should preclude confusion with Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on various herbaceous plants, including Clover, Dock and Plantain, over-wintering as an egg or small larva.