Common in pine woodland and areas with scattered pine trees throughout England. In Hampshire locally common in woodland of Scots Pine, especially in the New Forest, and on the heaths in the north-east of the county; very rarely recorded on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-23 mm. Differs from
Pine Shoot Moth R. buoliana by the more strongly marked costa, the ferruginous-chestnut coloration of the markings and the rounded apex of the pre-tornal marking of the forewing, and the paler hindwing [Bradley]. Larva feeds within needles and young shoots of Scots Pine, but is less likely than
R. buoliana to cause the tree serious damage.