Davey, P., 2009: A species occurring over all but northern Britain, the larva feeding in the seed capsules of red bartsia (Odontites vernus) and eyebright (Euphrasia nemorosa). In Dorset, the moth is local and at low density on chalky unimproved grassland and verge habitat; it occurs regularly on Portland, at Weymouth, Badbury Rings and Durlston, where larvae have been found on red bartsia. Elsewhere, records are thinly scattered across various habitat and soil types, hinting at occasional dispersal. Old records suggest it was more widespread in the past, and loss of unimproved grassland on chalky soils has evidently precipitated a contraction in the range of this species.