Common in birch woodland, heathland and gardens throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire a common and widespread species of birch woodland. On the Isle of Wight, only recorded in the extreme west of the Island. Wingspan 13-17 mm. This species is characterised by the general cream-white appearance of the forewing, with contrasting blackish but somewhat diffuse markings on the dorsum [Bradley]. It flies earlier in the year than the similar
E. ramella and comes freely to light. Larva feeds within catkins of Birch.