This rare and local xerothermic species was discovered in 2000 for the first time in Belgium. In 2011 the species has colonized the whole country. As with many Gracillariidae, the species is easily detected by looking after mines on the food plant.

The larva lives in a mine on the underside of the leaf of different species Melilotus, especially M. alba and Medicago. The mines are easily spotted because the leaflets are strongly folded. It pupates inside the mine and hibernates as a pupa.

The adults fly in several generations a year: onwards from May till late September.