Wingspan 14 to 22 mm. Perhaps the most colourful of the British Tineidae, and one of the largest. With a striking orange head and a large orangey area on the wings, which are otherwise greyish white with a slight sheen.

Various habitats.

The adults fly nocturnally between May and September and are often found in light traps.

The larvae feed in birds' nests and on woollen remains, such as sheep's wool.

This species is fairly frequent over most of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).