Local on well-wooded heathland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire restricted mainly to Botley Wood, Havant Thicket and the north-eastern heaths, with scattered records elsewhere. One record from the Isle of Wight, in 2017. Wingspan 3.4-4.6 mm. The adult requires dissection for certain identification; the larva mines leaves of Silver and Downy Birch, over-wintering as a pupa. In the Scottish Highlands, f. nanivora, considered by some authorities to be a separate species, mines Dwarf Birch.
Flightime guide |
Stage | J | F | M |
A | M | J |
J | A | S |
O | N | D |
Adult |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Larval |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|