Common on rough meadows, parkland, field-edges and chalk downland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire generally widespread and fairly common. On the Isle of Wight, there is just one record, on Tennyson Down in 1987. Wingspan 10-14 mm. Can be confused with S. pauperella but both are reliably distinguished by their genitalia. Larva mines leaves of Thistle, both Carduus and Cirsium, and Colt's-foot.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time