Hantsmoths

Common in ditches, marshes, river-banks, water meadows and damp moorland throughout much of Britain, more numerous in the west, and apparently absent from northern Scotland, Orkney, and Shetland; also recorded from several Irish sites. In Hampshire common and widespread in marshes and ditches where the foodplant, mainly Hemlock Water-dropwort, occurs; very local on the coast of the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 22-25 mm. Resembles D. ultimella, which has a smaller wingspan and disc of the forewing conspicuously cream; in D. daucella the disc is buff and inconspicuous. Like many Depressaria, it overwinters, and is often recorded hibernating in thatch. Larva mines flowering stems of various species of Water-dropwort, subsequently feeding on the flowers and seed heads.