[6] The distribution range of Eupoecilia ambiguella stretches from the United Kingdom to Japan, occurring north up into Fennoscandia and south to the Mediterranean Basin.

[7][3][4] Its range overlaps in part with that of Lobesia botrana, but E. ambiguella prefers colder, more humid environments than L. botrana,[4][3] and in shared areas may be found at a higher altitude[3] or co-occurring in the same vineyard.

[7] The larvae are polyphagous, with more than thirty known host plants including dogwood, smooth bedstraw, blackthorn, Virginia creeper, grape and honeysuckle.

[4] Although it has since then largely been replaced by Lobesia botrana in the southern European part of its range,[7] it remains a major pest in Northern European and South-German wineproducing regions.

[5] Eupoecilia ambiguella generally occurs in two generations,[7] but up to three in the southern parts of its range.