Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) on downland in parts of south-eastern England, as far west as Dorset. True distribution is confused due to possible confusion with
M. aprilella, which was not recognised as British until 1981 (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). The records in Goater (1974)In Hampshire are dubious and most were re-assigned to
aprilella in his 1992 supplement. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 14-24 mm. Larva feeds within seedheads of Dwarf Thistle, over-wintering in a silken chamber.