Hantsmoths

Local in hedgerows, orchards and scrub throughout much of the British Isles, less numerous in the north. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight most likely to be encountered in the south-east, with very few recent records in the north of the county or on the Island. Wingspan 9-12 mm. The coppery red general appearance of the forewing with the dark purplish brown coloration of the basal two-thirds and the well-demarcated ferruginous-orange distal area are characteristic [Bradley]. Larva feeds within unripe fruit of Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn, Rowan, Apple and Crab Apple, over-wintering in a cocoon.