Common on chalk downland, heathland, fens, open woodland and rough ground throughout much of southern England; also on moorland in Scotland (subspecies callunaria) and Shetland (ssp. curzoni). In Hampshire fairly common on the chalk, notably at Broughton Down and Martin Down, with scattered records elsewhere and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 21-23 mm. Larva feeds on Meadowsweet, Common Ragwort, Devil's-bit Scabious, Common Knapweed, Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, over-wintering as a pupa.