Chionodes distinctella, the eastern groundling, is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It is found in almost all of Europe (except Croatia), as well as most of Russia, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and North Africa. The habitat consists of dry, rocky heath and meadows and the verges and rough pastures. The wingspan is 15–19 mm. Adults have been recorded on wing from early June to October in two generations per year in western Europe. The larvae feed within the roots of Genista and Thymus species, as well as Artemisia campestris.