Nationally scarce (Nb) on coastal sand-dunes and, rarely, dry sandy areas inland throughout much of the British Isles, but absent from western Scotland, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. In Hampshire recorded recently only from Hayling Island in 2005. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 9-11 mm. Differs from the other black species
B. affinis and
B. similis by the conspicuous clear white costal and tornal patches contrasting with the very dark forewing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on various mosses and various grasses, living within a silken tube or tent.