Wingspan 19-29 mm. The females have much shorter, stunted wings than the males and are rarely seen as they do not fly.

Often in well wooded areas.

This is an early spring species, occurring from March to May.

The caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees.

Fairly frequent throughout much of Britain, the melanic form occurs in some northern and industrial areas. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Quite common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)