The wingspan is 15–22 mm. The antennal cilia of the male are short. The thorax is crested. The elongate forewings have slightly arched costa, from vein 7 to apex. The ground colour is grey, irrorated or mixed with white, more strongly in the female. There is and angulated fascia at 1/3, slender and often indistinct dorsally. An irregular central fascia is sometimes interrupted near dorsum. The costal and terminal patches (seldom connected) are grey or fuscous, often blackish-marked, sometimes nearly obsolete. The hindwings are light fuscous or grey, in female darker, 6 and 7 short-stalked. The larva is pale greenish-grey; spots small, black; head and plate of 2 yellowish-brown:[3] Julius von Kennel provides a full description.[4]
Adults have been recorded on wing in July. There is generally one generation per year, although two have been reported from Ireland.[5]
^Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description