Hantsmoths

A rare Red Data Book species, in reed-beds, marshes and gravel pits in southern England. Largely confined to four main areas in Britain, lakeside habitats in Sussex and Surrey and two sites in East Anglia. The colonies in Surrey are a recent discovery and it is not clear how long this species has been resident in the area. It was also recorded at Dungeness in Kent from 1952-1980 with no evidence of this species breeding here since then. In East Anglia, it is present in the Norfolk Broads and in Breckland wetlands (near Brandon) to the west of Thetford Forest on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. In Hampshire there are scattered records from Hengistbury Head in 1953 and 2017, and Southampton Common in August 1969 and again in 2004; also reported from Lymington in 2013. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 32-42 mm. The most likely confusion species is Webb's Wainscot A. sparganii, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Common Club-rush, Bulrush, Lesser Bulrush and Yellow Iris, over-wintering as an egg.

VC11 South Hampshire