Hantsmoths

Common in oak woodland, woodland and heaths throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight well distributed and reasonably common throughout. Wingspan 14-18 mm. A species associated with deciduous oak woodland, while the very similar A. notana feeds on birch. Fresh males of A. ferrugana can be distinguished by the presence of distinct scale tufts, a feature lacking on A. notana, but otherwise dissection is generally required to fully establish identity. Larva feeds on Oak and Goat Willow, living between leaves spun together with silk.