It is found in most of Europe, east to Russia and Asia Minor.

It was released as a biological control agent for Hieracium in New Zealand in 1998.

Young larvae feed within the roots of hawkweeds (Hieracium species), including mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella).

Later instars feed on the flowerheads, beneath a silken web.

This article on a moth of the family Pterophoridae is a stub.