Hantsmoths

Common on rough ground and in gardens throughout England, Wales and Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight common wherever elder flourishes, and occasionally recorded away from the foodplant. Wingspan 23-26mm. The main confusion species is the far rarer P. stachydalis, which differs, for example, in the distinctly irregular distal edge of the large white spots on the hindwing and forewing — in P. coronata these white spots are neatly delineated and circular — and the slightly falcate wing-tip of P. stachydalis. Larva feeds on Elder, living within a spun or rolled leaf.