Nationally scarce (Nb) on cliffs and shingle beaches in England, from Sussex to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, predominantly coastal. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight local and uncommon on the coast. Wingspan 20-25 mm. The long legs and antennae give the species a distinctive jizz; in the superficially similar
Synaphe punctalis, the discal spot is dark and the second line is clearly pale-edged distally [Goater]. Larva feeds on flowers and leaves of plants such as Bird's-foot Trefoil, Red Clover and Buckshorn Plantain.