Wingspan 14-18 mm.  A relatively plain blackish moth with a yellow head.

Good photograph required.  In view of the rarity of this species in our area, the specimen should be retained until confirmed by the Vice County Recorder for Leicestershire and Rutland.

Associated with Birch, and most likely to be encountered in areas where Birch is present.

It flies in May and June.

The larva feeds within Birch twigs (usually at a node) causing a swelling which sometimes has a small pile of red frass around the hole.

A scarce and local species in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.  The Shepshed record of 10th May 2024 is the first confirmed record for VC55 - there is just one previous unconfirmed record from 2017.