Local in gardens and woodland throughout much of England and Wales, rare in Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight local on the chalk, where the the larva is found mainly on Wayfaring-tree, and in the New Forest and elsewhere, where it occurs on Guelder-rose; also occurs in gardens where either (or both) species is planted. Wingspan 15-20 mm. The moderately rough-scaled anterior margin of the forewing and the enlarged costal blotch, which extends to near the apex, distinguish this species from
A. laterana and
A. comariana [Bradley]. Larva feeds on Guelder-rose and Wayfaring-tree, living within a spun or rolled leaf.