Common in woodland, gardens, orchards and parks throughout much of England and Wales and, in favourable years, southern Scotland. Widely distributed and fairly common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 5.2-6.4 mm, female 5.2-6.5 mm. The imago may be distinguished from
E. subbimaculella and
E. heringi by the absence of the large and conspicuous white spot at the base of the forewing. Adults difficult to distinguish from other
Ectoedemia species, and more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Oak, over-wintering as a pupa.