Common in woodland, and on moorland, downland and waste ground throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire reasonably widespread and common, but distinctly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 12-17 mm. Flies in late afternoon. Differs from
A. paludana by the darker general coloration of the forewing and the presence of never more than a single black dot at the base of the cilia below the subapical dash [Bradley]. Larva feeds on various species of Vetch, Vetchling and Clover, living between leaves spun together with silk, and over-wintering in a cocoon.