Common on moorland and woodland in the uplands, and on grassland and roadside verges in the lowlands throughout much of Britain and Ireland, but infrequent in southern-eastern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight now local and rare, having been much more common in the past. Wingspan 24-32 mm. Larva feeds on Bilberry, Heather, Sallow, Greater Stitchwort, Red Campion, Broad-leaved Willowherb, Great Willowherb and Cow Parsley, over-wintering as an egg.