Local in open woodland in southern England and south Wales. Reported from scattered locations in Hampshire, and only common in recent years from Pamber Forest: the Isle of Wight saw no records between the first in 1929, and 2012, when larvae were found in some numbers at Godshill. One was also seen in Firestone Copse in 2014. It is probably overlooked, and it may be found in new areas by searching for the adult moth which often rests on the flowers of the foodplant in sunshine, feeding on the nectar. The larva feeds within seeds of Greater Stitchwort, living within a movable case. Adult wingspan 9-11 mm.