Hantsmoths

Local in rocky areas, mountains, sea cliffs and quarries, in north-western England, Scotland and on the southern coast of England from the Isle of Wight to Cornwall. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight still recorded very occasionally on the Island, and there are two very old undated records from Bassett and the Meon Valley in vice-county 11. Wingspan 36-46 mm. Could be confused with Dotted Rustic Rhyacia simulans, which has a much larger and more conspicuous orbicular stigma, and often a dark interstigmatal patch; the cross-lines, which lack the pale component, are represented by a series of dark dots; the markings on the underside are less contrasting (MBGBI Vol 9). Stout Dart Spaelotis ravida is distinguished by the presence of a basal dash on its forewing and by the paler hindwing (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on various herbaceous plants and grasses, including Harebell, Biting Stonecrop, Purple Saxifrage, Yellow Saxifrage and Sheep's-fescue.

VC10 Isle of Wight