Wingspan 10 to 12 mm. One of the grey Coleophoras. This species can only be definitely separated as an adult by reference to the genitalia, from the very similar C. coracipennella and C. prunifoliae.

In areas where the larval food plants occur.

Flies in June and July.

The larva, like those species, creates blotch mines and later lives in a series of portable cases, on Hawthorn, Apple or Blackthorn among others.

Found fairly frequently throughout England and Wales to southern Scotland and more locally in Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

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