The wingspan is 12–14 mm. As in many other species of the genus Epinotia, it is fairly variable in colour. Often there is a large, triangular white spot at the dorsal edge of the forewings and a smaller light stain at the tornus. The hindwings are light grey-brown.
In the British Isles[3] and adjoining areas of continental Europe,[4] the moth flies from April to June and again, in the south, in August and September.