Local in southern and central Britain, in damp woodland and marshes, and on river-banks. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight thinly scattered in the south of the county and on the Island, but very rare in the north of the county. Adults difficult to distinguish from other
Stigmella species, and more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Wingspan 3.9-4.8 mm. Larva mines leaves of Alder, over-wintering as a pupa. The mines, which are similar to those of
S. glutinosae, are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk.