It is found from the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, through the temperate areas of Europe, to England and north to central Fennoscandia.

Males have wings with a wingspan of 14–16 mm, but females are wingless.In the male the forewings are rather broad, the apex tolerably obtuse; dark fuscous, purplish -tinged.Hindwings rather dark fuscous.

Larva light purplish-brown; subdorsal and spiracular lines on 2-4 reddish, head light brown, blackish-marked : case covered with longitudinally placed fragments of grass; on grass, etc.

The larvae feed on various grasses, Bryophyte and Chlorophyta species and lichen as well as Geranium sanguineum.

The female moth rests with the body strongly bent under, so that the ovipositor is directed forwards.