Habitat: Wet meadows, marshes and moist forests.

Appearance:  The species is widespread in Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to East Asia and north to southern Finland. The moth is very common in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Flying time: one or two generations, mid-June to late September.

Characteristics: Wingspan 32–40 mm

Life cycle: Host plants are Lichens and Algae on various trees and shrubs. The caterpillars feed on lichens and algae that grow on trees. The species overwinters as a caterpillar and pupates in a web of lichen. The moths are attracted to both light and grease and drink nectar from plants such as Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).