Nationally scarce (Na) in oak woodland in southern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight moderately common in the large oak woods - Parkhurst Forest, the New Forest, Harewood and Pamber Forests; very occasional elsewhere. Wingspan 18-24 mm. Similar to
Least Black Arches N. confusalis, but Small Black Arches lacks the prominent dentations on the median fascia of forewing (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak.