A very rare and local species in Belgium, until now only known from two provinces. The species has a tendency to become more common during the last years.

The larva makes an oval mine on the underside of Populus alba or Populus canescens. Because of the hairy underside of the leave, the mine is almost invisible there, while it is clearly marked on the upperside by its contrasting yellowish colour. There can be several mines on the same leaf.

The adults fly from September. They hibernate in bark crevices or in other shelters and reproduce in early spring.