Common in gardens, waste ground, woodland edges and a wide range of other habitats throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight one of the most frequently reported depressariid moths, although not the most numerous. Wingspan 15-21 mm. Closely resembles
A. ciliella, which see for differences. Dark chestnut forms can be confused with
A. cnicella, but the latter has a smoother texture to the forewing and the pale basal area is suffused with white scales and never extended along the costa.
A. scopariella has the forewing apex more squared and the white discal dots much smaller and usually not dark-circled. Small specimens can also be confused with
A. capreolella which has a narrower forewing and darker hindwing, and
A. curvipunctosa which has only one whitish dot in the disc of the forewing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva feeds on Cow Parsley, Rough Chervil and Hogweed, living within a spun or rolled leaf.