Hantsmoths

Local in parks, gardens and woodland throughout much of southern England, spreading into northern England. Thoroughly naturalised, through accidental introduction in azaleas and rhododendrons, this native of eastern Asia now occurs in the wild amongst Azalea species in several of the southern counties and more widely in greenhouses. In Hampshire early stages were first reported in a garden at Bournemouth, and subsequently from Southampton, Hilliers Arboretum and Ampfield. A few adult specimens have been taken at light elsewhere in southern Hampshire, but still rare in the north of the county and on the Isle of Wight, where first recorded at Totland in 2007. Wingspan 10-11 mm. Larva mines leaves of Azalea and Rhododendron, subsequently living within a leaf-fold, over-wintering as a pupa.