Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. A small greyish moth with white head and thorax.

Areas where Blackthorn is present.

The adults can be found on the wing in July and are attracted to light.

The larvae feed on Blackthorn mining the leaves initially, then hibernating in a small silken enclosure. In the spring they feed on the leaves from within a silk web.

Distributed throughout England, Wales, Ireland and southern Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).