Wingspan 23-28 mm. Quite a plain moth with a streaky buff brown appearance.

Generally found occupying waste ground and dry pastures.

September to May - The adults begin to hatch in September, and overwinter, appearing until the following May.

As the English and scientific names suggest, the larvae feed on Wild Parsnip but also on Hogweed. At first the flowers and seeds are consumed, and later the larva enters the stem where it pupates.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant)