Wingspan of 32-40 mm. Forewings orange-rufous with ochreous markings. A large white kidney shaped mark is drawn out towards wing tip. Submarginal line is pale preceded by a toothed rufous brown shade. Hindwings fuscous, often with a reddish tinge.
Final instars reach 37-42 mm. Body dark green with white dorsal, subdorsal and spiracular stripes. The spiracular stripe is edged below with yellow to orange. The head is pale brown with darker mottling.
Laid in short rows of 3-5 on the upper surface of needles, mostly in the middle and upper layers of trees.
Europe and Asia Minor.
First instars feed on developing shoots boring into the developing needles to feed. Later instars move to feed on older needles causing rapid defoliation. Large populations can kill many trees.