Local in hedgerows and woodland throughout much of south-eastern England. Recorded for the first time in Hampshire at Farnborough on 10 June 1993. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 11-15 mm. Can only reliably be separated from
O. quadripuncta by dissection of the genitalia, but in
O. deauratella median fascia usually less than one-third of wing-width broad, and in
O. quadripuncta this fascia often sinuous and obsolete on dorsum (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva feeds on leaf litter and decaying vegetable matter.