Wingspan 13–15 mm. General forewing pattern similar to Nemophora degeerella but immediately differentiated from it by a conspicuous yellow spot in the apical area.

Yellowish; head capsule and thoracic plates brown.

The first case consists of a needle of Abies alba of which the contents are eaten. The later case is constructed with 4 to 6 pieces of dry leaves, resembling those of Nematopogon. The case is variable in construction and size, from 9–11 mm.

The eggs are probably oviposited in the needles of Abies alba. The young larva eats the contents of the needle and hibernates inside it. After hibernation, it constructs its second case which is gradually enlarged. The full-grown larva hibernates a second time inside this case. Pupation in springtime.
The moths are active during the day and later come to light.

The larva lives on Abies alba. But it also feeds on leaf litter on the ground under Picea abies and Abies alba.

Mixed forests in rather cool habitats.