Nematopogon stenochlora (Meyrick, 1912), described from Algeria, is for the first time reported from Europe. The specimens collected in the province of Malaga, Spain have the genitalia indistinguishable from the holotype of N. stenochlora, although externally they resemble N. dorsiguttella (Erschoff, 1877) by both large size and presence of two prominent white spots at dorsal forewing margin. Investigation of additional specimens collected in Algeria demonstrated that external characters of N. stenochlora are highly variable; we update the description of this species accounting for this variation in external traits and also illustrate female genitalia that have not been known earlier. Appearance of N. stenochlora in late winter and early spring is the most likely reason behind the elusiveness of this species.