Common in grassland, rough meadows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and fairly common in grassy areas; the dark-coloured ab.
obscurellus has been reported from the New Forest and Test Valley. Wingspan 22-25 mm. The longitudinal median streak is cut by a fine dark line, as in
C. silvella,
C. uliginosellus,
C. ericella,
C. pratella,
C. lathoniellus and
C. leucoschalis, which see. Larva feeds within roots of various grasses, living within a silken tube or tent.