Common in pine woodland throughout southern England, also appearing as a migrant from mainland Europe away from the vicinity of pines. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight closely associated with Scots Pine, and fairly common in the county. Wingspan 27-33 mm. The genus
Dioryctria contains four closely related species in Britain, which require close examination to separate:
D. abietella is most likely to be confused with
D. sylvestrella, which see for a description of the differences. Larva feeds within young shoots of Scots Pine, Norway Spruce and European Larch.