Hantsmoths

Previously a rare and local resident on shingle beaches and grassy areas in parts of south-eastern England, predominantly coastal; in Kent it occurs at Dungeness and along the coast to Folkestone, including records from Hythe, Dover and Kingsdown. In Sussex, larvae can be common on shingle beaches and waste places within a mile of the sea-shore. Prior to 2000, there were just three records, all coastal: the first at Locks Heath in 1971, with one at Southsea in August 1992 and one in Gosport in August 1996. However, the 21st Century has seen an expansion of range inland, from a base apparently in Greater London and since 2015 it has been recorded annually, both along the coast and from the north-east. The first Isle of Wight record was also in 2015. Wingspan 32-34 mm. Larva feeds on Purple Toadflax and Common Toadflax, over-wintering as a pupa.

Update: Status review, January 2020.