Hantsmoths

Common in heathland, woodland edges and birch woodland throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire widespread and fairly common, but rather scarce on the Isle of Wight where there are just two records in 1974 and 1997. Wingspan 18-22 mm. Distinguished from A. capreana by having the outer edge of the coalescent median fascia and pre-tornal marking comparatively straight, the dark-coloured basal two-thirds of the wing more heavily marked with black, and the subterminal fascia usually lacking black dots [Bradley]. Larva feeds on Birch, living between leaves spun together with silk.