Local in water meadows, marshes and on river-banks throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire rather uncommon and sparsely distributed, mainly along the south coast, but also inland at Leckford, Selborne and around Basingstoke. On the Isle of Wight, confined to the extreme west of the Island. Wingspan 18-22 mm. Larger than
E. ericetana and has the apex of the forewing more sharply angulate and retuse; differs further by the normally paler ground colour and the more contrasting markings, and by the blackish and more obtusely angled, central, blotch-like median fascia [Bradley]. Larva feeds within roots and lower stems of Marsh Woundwort and Spear Mint.