Wingspan 8 to14 mm. The adults are quite small and they resemble C. coniferana and C. conicolana, both of which are found in similar habitat, but tend to show more distinct white markings than those species.

Coniferous woodland.

They fly during the day in sunshine through May and June, and sometimes again in August as a small second brood.

The larva feed on Scots Pine in galls and resinous nodules on the bark.

An uncommon species, frequenting coniferous plantations and woods in various parts of mainland Britain, but particularly in the east and northerly into Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland, the Charnwood Lodge record on 3rd June 2011 is the first VC55 record for the species.