A large (about 6 mm) distinctive barkfly. The forewings of males and females are different. The forewing of the female has an overall medium brown colour with colourless patches and darker brown areas; the male forewing is almost uniformly medium brown.

Can be found on various trees and shrubs.

Summer and early autumn.

The species feed on beech, birch, bird cherry, blackthorn, broom, elder, elm, field maple, holm oak, pine, willow, sea buckthorn, spruce, and yew. It also likes to feed on apples.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.