Hantsmoths

Extinct in the British Isles, formerly in woodland in parts of south-eastern England. The majority of records of this species appear to be based on misidentifications of C. kroesmanniella, but records from Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire and Bedfordshire are the most likely to be authentic (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire, the only record, of one taken at Rhinefields in the New Forest in 1958, is considered to require confirmation. Unlikely to be recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-12 mm. C. kroesmanniella is larger and has no connecting bar between the costa and the plical spot; C. blandelloides has the costal and dorsal white spots separated by an ochreous patch and the wing is less extensively dusted with fuscous scales; C. blandella and C. blandulella lack fuscous-tipped scales on the head and thorax and have the costal and plical spots obscured by the dark fuscous bar (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on shoots of Greater Stitchwort, living between shoots spun together with silk.