Common in open, especially birch, woodland and freshwater margins throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Variable, but only the scarce unicolorous form problematic, being similar to the unicolorous form of
A. goedartella, but a deeper, darker colour than
A. goedartella. Flies in afternoon sunshine and at night. Larva mines young shoots and catkins of Silver and Downy Birch, and Alder.