It is found in damp habitats throughout Europe (except for the far south) and is also distributed eastwards to central Siberia.

The larvae feed on tender, young growth of herbacaeous plants and pupate in a tough, silken cocoon.

[5][6] Like other members of the family, Micropterix calthella has functional jaws in its imaginal stage.

The moth was first named by Carl Linnaeus in 1761 as Phalaena calthella, from a specimen found in Sweden.

[7] Later the moth was renamed as Micropterix calthella, with the genus raised by the German entomologist, Jacob Hübner in 1825.