Archips xylosteana is a medium-sized to large moth with a
wingspan reaching . The females are usually slightly larger than the males. The basic color of the fore wings varies from yellow-brown or ocher to pinkish brown, mottled with dark reddish brown markings. Forewings are broad and roughly rectangular. Hind wings are light grayish brown. The design of the wings may appear lightly asymmetric, because at rest one of the wing covers the other Julius von Kennel provides a full description. ==Biology==