Wingspan of 18-22 mm. Wings transparent with bluishblack scales along margins and main veins. Palpi are black, with white on the inner side in males. A wide red band is present on the fourth abdominal segment with rest of abdomen and thorax black.
Orchard fruit trees, in particular apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus), plum and cherry (Prunus).
Larvae feed on living tissue beneath the bark forming galleries between the bark and cambium layer. Larval feeding can prevent nutrient circulation within the tree causing scaling of bark, stunted growth and tree death. Before pupating larvae eject frass from an exit hole and pupal cases are left at entrance holes after exit.
