Nationally scarce (Nb) on burnt areas in heathland throughout southern England, but erratically and in mobile colonies. in Hampshire, found on the heaths of the New Forest and in the north-east, and an occasional wanderer elsewhere; recently recorded at Totland on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 18-25 mm. The main confusion species are
Pyla fusca and
Ortholepis betulae, which see. Larva feeds on the fungus
Daldinia concentrica growing on Birch and Gorse