Local on moorland and heathland throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire rather infrequently recorded on the heaths of the New Forest and in the north-east of the county, but remaining extremely rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 23-25 mm. Large labial palps, with upward pointing tips, white costal streak and pair of small black discal spots; superficially similar to
Sophronia semicostella, which lacks the two discal spots. Larva feeds on Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, living within a silken web.