Hantsmoths

Local in oak woodland, broad-leaved woodland and orchards throughout southern England. Widely, but very sparsely, distributed in south Hampshire; very rare in north Hampshire and not recorded in the Isle of Wight until 2016. Wingspan 11-14 mm. Differs from P. argyrana in the darker general coloration and the usually more obscure medio-dorsal blotch of the forewing, and in the male by the more uniformly infuscate hindwing [Bradley]. Larva feeds within bark of Oak, forming galls, and over-wintering as a pupa in a cocoon.