Head dark golden ochreous to brownish, conspicuous labial palpi turned upright, the last thin segment pure white; forewing ground colour golden ochreous with two costal and two dorsal white striae, sometimes edged with dark brown or black scales; the basal costal stria not reaching the costa. The area between these striae warm reddish brown. A small brownish patch on the costa just before the apex.

Light grey, a fine dorsal line and two black spots on the first abdominal segment.

A flimsy cocoon spun in the larval feeding place.

The caterpillar hides under the dead bark of old trees where it spins a silken tube in which frass is used. This species hibernates in the larval stage. It feeds from September to April.
Pupation takes place in early spring.
The adults rest during the day on tree trunks, they come to light.

The larva lives on decaying wood of several deciduous tree species, like Aesculus, Betula, Juglans, Malus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Salix and Sorbus.