Hantsmoths

Local in broad-leaved woodland, parks and gardens throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed in oak and mixed deciduous woodland. Turns up at light both before and after hibernation; in autumn it visits the flowers of ling and during the winter it may be beaten from yew trees in woodland, and from thickets of blackthorn. Wingspan 22-28 mm. Very variable, with some eight distinct forms, and most likely to be passed over as a micromoth of the Tortricidae, especially Acleris hastiana or Acleris cristana. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak.