Wingspan 9–12 mm. A rather small species with purplish grey wings at the base giving way to ferruginous orange at the termen. There are a number of silver striae of which at least one becomes a fascia reaching the tornus.

A white larva with pale spots, the head is brown, the nape is brown with black spots on the side and two very small spots on the rear edge, the anal valve is brown.

The young larva lives in the spun flowers and later in the unripe fruits on the host plant. The full-grown larva spins a cocoon under loose bark on tree trunks or larger branches or on the ground. Here, it overwinters, pupating in the spring.
The adults are mainly active during daytime and fly, especially in warm sunshine, around the tops of its host trees and later occasionally come to light.

The larva lives mainly on Crataegus, but it is known also as a serious pest of several fruit trees, especially Malus, less frequently on Prunus domestica, Pyrus and Prunus cerasus. Also known from Sorbus torminalis and Cornus sanguinalis, but the latter one is doubtfull.

It inhabits woodland edges, orchards, gardens, parkland and hedgerows.