Wingspan 21 to 24 mm. Showing conspicuous whitish markings and cross-lines on a reddish-brown ground colour, this moth is not too difficult to identify although both light coloured and darker coloured specimens do occur.

This moth can be found in spruce plantations and other areas where Norway spruce occurs.

Flies between June and August.

The larvae feed inside the cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies), causing them to become distorted and stunted.

Mainly confined to the south of England, and very local. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).