Hantsmoths

An extinct, former resident species of clearings and rides in damp woodland in Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The last resident population was at Hamstreet, Kent, where recorded between 1932 and 1977. In Hampshire, Waring et al refers to a single unsubstantiated record from Petersfield in 1877. The species has no other claim for inclusion in the county list, and its status is dubious. There have been two records of probable immigrants in Devon, August 1965 and Norfolk, June 1998. Wingspan 26-32 mm. Could be confused with both Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula, in which apex of forewing is falcate, and Lead Belle Scotopteryx mucronata, which has subterminal line obscurely pale except for dark apical streak (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Aspen.

VC12 North Hampshire