Common wherever the foodplant occurs, throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire the foodplant is local and so is the moth; there are only a very few records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-17 mm. Similar to Diamond-back Moth P. xylostella but slightly larger and more striated, and with three darkish rings on tip of antennae (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Dame's-violet, beneath a silken web, often several together.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time