Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) on rough grassland, waste ground and roadside verges, but distribution poorly known due to confusion with C. alcyonipennella from which it is separable only by dissection. It should be noted that the description in MBGBI Vol 3 for frischella relates to alcyonipennella, whereas the genitalia illustrated is in fact true frischella! Based on the limited field work done to date, it appears to be confined to SW England (as far east as Somerset) and replaced in the rest of the country by alcyonipennella (Jon Clifton, pers. comm). In Hampshire, there have been several confirmed records, but not recorded on the Isle of Wight to date. Larva feeds within seedheads of various clovers, living within a movable case; case length 6 mm.