Local in marshes, river-banks and ditches throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire the majority of records are from the south-east corner of the county and from Christchurch, and although there are only a few inland records, it has been recorded in the northern half of the county on a number of occasions. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1900 at Cranmore in 2011. Wingspan 11-18 mm. The weakly reticulate ground colour, the presence of a dark basal patch and a comparatively well-developed median fascia distinguish this species from
B. lancealana and small examples of
B. robustana; weakly marked and unicolorous specimens can only be separated by examination of the genitalia [Bradley]. Larva feeds within stems of Common Club-rush and Compact Rush.