Hantsmoths

Common on heathland, marshes, bogs, moorland, woodland rides and sand-dunes throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight frequent on the heaths, less so in marshes, occasional elsewhere, where wandering females are sometimes taken at light. Wingspan male 58-64 mm, female 68-88 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Heather, Meadowsweet, Alder Buckthorn, Bramble, Hawthorn and Blackthorn, over-wintering as a pupa.