Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) in waste ground, dry pastures and sand-dunes, south-east of a line from Somerset to Norfolk (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire the main population is found in the south of the county, notably at Southsea, Funtley and Lower Test Marshes, where first confirmed for Hampshire in 1992; there is one record from the north of the county, at Bramley Frith Wood in 1999, and a few from the Isle of Wight, after the first at Cranmore in 1997. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Larva feeds within roots and lower stems of Curled Dock and Dock, over-wintering as an egg or small larva.