Hantsmoths

Common in woodland, especially of birch, heathland and gardens throughout Britain. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 36-40 mm, female 40-43 mm. In Scotland moths are distinctly straw-coloured with outer markings darker (ssp. scotica), elsewhere, occasional individuals can be very pale (f. pallida), but only likely to be confused with Dusky Hook-tip D. curvatula, a rare immigrant from Europe, which is darker and has the three discal spots roughly the same size (in falcataria, the outer discal spot is much larger then the other two). Larva feeds on Downy and Silver Birch, over-wintering as a pupa.