Nationally scarce (Na) in pine woodland throughout much of Britain, mostly in the north and east. In Hampshire recorded just once to date, at Southsea in May 1989. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first, and so far only, time at Ventnor in 1856. Wingspan 16-22 mm. Reminiscent of
Rhyacionia pinivorana but distinguished by the darker general coloration of the fore- and hindwings and the white cilia of the hindwing [Bradley]. Larva feeds within young shoots of Scots Pine, subsequently feeding on resin, forming galls, over-wintering twice.