Hantsmoths

Common in hedgerows, woodland, scrub and gardens throughout England, increasingly also in Scotland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 35-42 mm, female 37-45 mm. The main confusion species are Brown-tail E. chrysorrhoea, in which the underside of the abdomen is covered in brown hairs, and White Satin Leucoma salicis which lacks the yellow abdomen of E. similis and has legs ringed black and white. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Pedunculate and Sessile Oak, Silver and Downy Birch, Sallow and Elm.