Wingspan 15 to19 mm. When freshly emerged, this species can have a distinctly rosy or purplish tinge, which gives rise to the scientific name. However this can fade quite quickly to a dull buff colour.

Frequents rough pasture and similar habitats.

June and July. This moth will visit light.

The larvae feed on the roots of sow-thistle and dandelion.

It is distributed in the southern half of England and Wales, though not particularly common. There are also occasional records of its occurrence in Scotland and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

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