Nationally scarce (Na) in woodland throughout much of Britain and western Ireland. In Hampshire the only recent records are from Hookheath Meadows NR, Southwick. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 4-4.6 mm. Many records, especially from downland, probably refer to
T. subnitidella, from which only really separable by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Crown Vetch and Horseshoe Vetch, over-wintering as a pupa.