Common in woodland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and fairly common, perhaps under-recorded in some areas. Wingspan 15-20 mm. Certain forms of this species closely resemble forms of
A. comariana, from which reliably separated by dissection of the genitalia. The brownish f.
perplexana may be confused with f.
castaneana of
A. schalleriana, but may be distinguished by the comparatively smooth costa of the forewing [Bradley]. Larva feeds on Willow, Bilberry, Raspberry, Blackthorn, Rowan and similar, living within a spun or rolled leaf, over-wintering as an egg.