Hantsmoths

Local in dry grassland, heaths and damp open areas in Britain, as far north as East Lothian, being more common in the south-east (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire the population is largely confined to the south-east of the county, notably around Wickham Common Botley Wood and The Moors NR, Bishop's Waltham, but also in Southsea and along the coast from Hook in the west to Hayling Island in the east. In the north of the county, sparsely distributed but nowhere common. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 9-13 mm. Only C. viscariella and dark forms of C. marmoreum have similar coloration; in C. viscariella the dark bar from the plical spot clearly reaches the costa, whereas in C. fraternella it is lost in the fuscous ground colour of the costa; C. marmoreum has the costal and dorsal white spots much reduced in dark specimens (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on the terminal shoots of Bog Stitchwort, Lesser Stitchwort, Common Mouse-ear and Field Mouse-ear, living between shoots spun together with silk.