Local on rough grassland and dry pastures throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common and widely recorded, especially on the south coast, but like many species, doubtless under-recorded in the north-west of the county; the lack of records from the New Forest may, however, be a genuine reflection of the species' status there. Apart from one record from Noar Hill in 1975, it was unknown in north Hampshire until 2003, when single individuals were recorded in Pamber Forest and Basingstoke, since when increasingly recorded in the north of the county. Wingspan 10-12 mm. The most likely confusion species are
Eulamprotes immaculatella and
Syncopacma albipalpella, which see for differences. Larva mines leaves of Kidney Vetch, Red Clover, White Clover, Common Restharrow, Sainfoin and Lucerne, subsequently feeding on the flowers and seeds.