This is a rather plain species which is delicately streaked with grey. There are many named forms:

• f. nigristriata with black between veins,
• f. bipunctata with black oval and kidney marks,
• f. wismariensis with a long thick black streak from base.

Some forms are similar to micros Chilo phragmitella and Calamotropha paludella.

Pupates in plant stems.