Wingspan 27 to 33 mm. The dull or reddish straw coloured forewing is dusted with grey and black and has a thick brown streak emanating centrally from the base. In the female this streak is restricted to the base but in the male it extends to the outer edge, broadening as it does so.

Reed beds containing Common Reed.

The single generation flies from July to September, and is attracted to artificial light.

Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is the foodplant, the larvae feeding internally on the stems and pupating within.

Occurring mainly in the reed beds in the south and south-east of England, it does occur locally as far west as Devon and south Wales, and north to Lancashire. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).