Syntomis phegea is an attractive small moth. The species is found in pine woods on sandy soil. Specimens may be seen from June to the middle of August, and although they are not good flyers they may travel over large distances, possibly by means of air currents. In the past dec-ades sightings ofS. Phegea have fluctuated sharply, with a noticeable increase since 1995. Although the species lives in a habitat which is common in The Netherlands, its distribution is limited to five core areas.