Common in open woodland, woodland rides, hedgerows, chalk downland, gardens and waste ground throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight generally distributed and usually rather more common than
P. affinitata. Wingspan 22-24 mm. The most likely confusion species is
Rivulet P. affinitata, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Common Hemp-nettle and Hedge Woundwort, over-wintering as a pupa.