Nationally scarce (Nb) and confined to woodland and waste ground in parts of England and Scotland. Infrequently recorded in Hampshire, with scattered records across both vice-counties. In the Isle of Wight, reported for the first time in 2016 with two further sightings to 2018, in Shanklin and Parkhurst Forest. Wingspan 9-13 mm. The main confusion species is
M. propinquella from which it is distinguished by the beige colour of the head, thorax and basal blotch on the forewing and the dark brownish grey apical area of the forewing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva mines leaves of Broad-leaved Willowherb, over-wintering as a small larva.
Update: Status review, December 2019.