Wingspan 13 to 18 mm.

Around Heather.

The adults fly in a single generation from late April to June. These are attracted to light at night but can also be disturbed from the foodplant during the day.

This species lays its eggs on Heather. The larvae emerge to feed on the flowers, later feeding in larval spinnings on the shoots.

The moth is common throughout Britain and can be found wherever heather grows. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).