It is found in Europe, western China, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey, and north-western Africa.

The forewings are dark black variously mixed with brown and with a darker band along the distal edge of the pale antemedian line.

The pale postmedian line is usually distinct against the dark ground colour.

A similar species is Eudonia lacustrata, which differs from Eudonia mercurella by the broken wavy line that forms a broad white spot at the tip of the wing (apex).

[citation needed] Phalaena mercurella described by Zetterstedt in 1839 was actually Eudonia murana.