Hantsmoths

Common in England and Wales, mainly in the south and west, and in Scotland, in the north and east; in Ireland, it has been recorded from Co. Galway and the south-western counties. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Wingspan male 5.1-6.1 mm, female 5.1-6.6 mm. Imago is very similar to E. occultella, but differs in its smaller size, broader and more silvery fascia, seldom extended inwards along the margins, and more silvery cilia (MBGBI Vol 1). Adults difficult to distinguish from other Ectoedemia species, and more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Silver Birch, Downy Birch and Hazel, over-wintering as a pupa.