Hantsmoths

Common in deciduous woodland, especially of oak, but also in hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 19-22 mm. One of the earliest species of pug to emerge in Spring; the brown, nominate form often has a distinct white patch dorsad of the small central dot, but the melanistic form is fairly common, and cannot always be reliably separated from melanistic forms of other pug species. For non-melanistic forms, the most likely confusion species is Oak-tree Pug E. dodoneata, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate and Sessile Oak, and Hawthorn, over-wintering as a pupa.