Davey, P., 2009: A predominantly south of England species, the larva feeding for two years low down within the trunks and in the upper roots of mature sallow species (Salix spp.). The young larvae feed beneath the bark just below ground level, but later bore deeper into the host trunk creating a tunnel of up to 8mm diameter some 50mm above ground level. The presence of a colony is occasionally revealed by damage to the trunks caused by woodpeckers searching for larvae and pupae. The moth emerges between late June and late July and may be observed on a host trunk until noon, or later in overcast weather. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and locally frequent, and larvae have been found within sallow trees growing in most situations. Two large swathes of sallow-birch woodland removed in heathland restoration work on Studland Heath during January in 2003 revealed twenty tunnelled stumps from a total of two hundred stumps. The tunnelled stumps were located in distinct groups indicating the colonial nature of the species and illustrating perhaps the tendency to re-occupy a host tree year after year. A further example of a favoured tree is evidenced by the observation of up to nine adults on a single sallow trunk in a garden at Preston during the second and third weeks of July 2002 by M Forster.

Recorded in 15 (38%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1986.
Last Recorded in 2010.
(Data up to end 2019)