Wingspan 12 to 16 mm.

Various habitats including parks and gardens.

The moths fly mainly between July and October, and can be found on the wing from early evening, after which they will come to light.

The larvae feed on Tree-mallow (Lavatera arborea) and related species, internally in the seed capsules and shoots.

A fairly recent colonist to the British Isles, first discovered in south Devon in 1900. It is now frequent in the south, and is expanding its range. It is thought to have been introduced from warmer climes. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The moth taken in Leicester Forest East garden 15 October 2017 is the first record for this species in VC55.