Common in hedgerows, gardens and woodland edges throughout much of England, Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight perhaps under-recorded away from the south-east of the county. Wingspan 9-11 mm. The comparatively small size, the relatively broad forewing with purplish or pinkish ochreous general coloration and ochreous-yellow admixture along the termen, and in the male the blackish scales and hair-like cilia in the tornal area of the hindwing, are characteristic [Bradley]. Larva feeds within berries of Hawthorn, living between berries spun together with silk, over-wintering in a cocoon.