A rare species in Belgium, only observed in five provinces, of which two with old records before 1980. It has his stronghold in the province of Antwerpen.

The larva lives in a silken cocoon on dry vegetable matter, including dry berries and dead stems of ivy. It hibernates in its cocoon and pupates there during spring.

The adults fly from April till September. They are active at night and come to light. Unlike most of the genus Ephestia, this species occurs outdoors and it's not a pest of dried foods in warehouses.