Common on old walls and buildings throughout much of Britain, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight formerly a rather uncommon species favouring villages with old, thatched cottages, but nowadays widespread and common throughout. Wingspan 18-24 mm. The main confusion species,
C. verellus, lacks the white median longitudinal stripe of
C. falsella [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls, living within a silken tube or tent.