Hantsmoths

Local in woodland, especially of oak throughout southern England and Wales, north to Cheshire; common and widespread in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 44-47 mm, female 48-54 mm. Normally unmistakable, but the infrequent f. eremita is entirely sooty grey with cross-lines obscured, and could be mistaken for male Gypsy Moth L. dispar. Larva feeds on Pedunculate and Sessile Oak, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, and over-wintering as an egg.