Common in beech and other deciduous woodland throughout much of south-east England. In Hampshire fairly widespread across much of the county, but remains distinctly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-19 mm. Similar to
C. splendana but differs by the more uniformly grey general appearance of the forewing, the ocellus being comparatively obscure and lacking the dark purplish coloration [Bradley]. Larva feeds within nuts of Beech, over-wintering in a cocoon.