It is found in most of Europe. It flies at night in July and August and is attracted to light. The larvae feed on Prunus spinosa, cerasus, domestica, overwintering and feeding in the spring. Pupation in the soil in a papery cocoon.
Wingspan 9-12 mm. A plainer and less metallic-looking species than many others of the genus, this moth has a chestnut-brown forewing, usually with a creamy-white stripe from the head to about a third the length of the wing.
