Local in pine woodland and plantations throughout much of England and Wales, spreading into southern Scotland. In Hampshire widely distributed, but local and usually uncommon. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-12 mm. The smallest of this group of pine-feeding species,
C. purdeyi differs from the allied
C. sylvestrana by the pronounced ferruginous-ochreous coloration of the forewing [Bradley]. Larva feeds within needles of Scots Pine, Lodgepole Pine and Corsican Pine.