Hantsmoths

Common despite its name, in broad-leaved woodland, scrub and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and fairly common, although no doubt under-recorded due to its late season. Wingspan male 40-44 mm, female wingless. The main confusion species is Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria, from which male Scarce Umber is perhaps most reliably separated by its rounded termen and more open apical angle, but in most cases the uniformly orange-yellow forewing of Scarce Umber distinguishes from the very much more variable Mottled Umber; female Scarce Umber has short wing stumps, absent in Mottled Umber. Larva feeds on numerous broad-leaved trees and shrubs, over-wintering as an egg.