Wingspan 12-14 mm. The species is quite variable, with the paler diamond-shaped patch on the dorsal area sometimes obscured, yet sometimes contrasting strongly.

It inhabits woodland, heathland and river banks.

The moths fly in spring from April to June and in the south, again in August and September.

Larvae feed within the catkins of Alder and Birch.

Generally distributed throughout the British Isles, this species is fairly common in some places. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

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