Hantsmoths

Nationally scarce (Nb) on calcareous grassland, sea cliffs and quarries inland in southern England, discontinuously to Yorkshire and North Wales, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this species has gone from many localities on the chalk, which were either ploughed up during the 1939-45 War, or developed for housing. It survives in one or two localities on the Isle of Wight, and on Broughton Down, with occasional wanderers elsewhere. Wingspan 32-38 mm. Distinctive in an understated way. Larva feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hare's-foot Clover, White Clover, Red Clover and Vetch.