Recent colonist and immigrant in southern England and on the Channel Islands, predominantly coastal. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this southern European species first appeared in the county in 1995, and subsequently the larvae were promptly discovered in good numbers on tamarisk on south Hayling, and the following year on the Isle of Wight. Since then, it has been looked for without success on other stands of foodplant along the Hampshire coast. Wingspan 13-17 mm. The most likely confusion species is
Thyme Pug E. distinctaria, but smaller and lacking the black fascia of Thyme Pug. Larva feeds on Tamarisk, over-wintering as a pupa.