Wingspan 14 to 17 mm. The adults of this species generally have a slightly glossy appearance to the forewings.

Around rough grassland areas containing thistle the larval foodplant.

The adults are on the wing in June and July and are often attracted to light.

Various species of thistle form the foodplant, where the larvae devour the seeds before entering the stem where they pupate.

Widely distributed and fairly common over most of the British Isles. 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).