Hantsmoths

Recorded infrequently through accidental importation in produce from Central America and the West Indies, recorded in Britain at a plant nursery near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex as larvae on various pot-plants in April 1977, and on tomato in July 1977, with no further records to date. In Hampshire, recorded for the first time indoors at Cheriton on 15 October 2010, where believed to have emerged from grapes imported from Brazil. Wingspan 33-38mm. Larva feeds on various fruits and vegetables, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas; no evidence of breeding in the wild in the UK.

VC12 North Hampshire