Hantsmoths

Originally known from just two sites on grassland close to the sea in Essex, Fingringhoe Wick and Little Oakley, where discovered in 1973; it has since been found to be relatively common at a number of sites in Essex. This otherwise rare and local species has now been located in a number of southern counties including Suffolk, Hampshire and Dorset. It is quite a large Coleophorid, appearing metallic golden green, and has distinctive orange hairs around the eye if viewed closely. Differs from other similarly coloured species in having no white at the apex of the antenna (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire one was found on Portsdown Hill in 2005 and again in 2016. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 14-18 mm. Flies in afternoon sunshine. Larva feeds within seedpods of Smooth Tare, living within a movable case; case length 9-11 mm.

VC11 South Hampshire