It is found in Europe (except the Balkan Peninsula), Japan (Hokkaido) and North America.

Coleophora species have narrow blunt to pointed forewings and a weakly defined tornus The hindwings are narrow-elongate and very long-fringed.

The resting position is horizontal with the front end raised and the cilia give the hind tip a frayed and upturned look if the wings are rolled around the body.

C. serratella characteristics include head light ochreous - fuscous.

The larvae feed on birches, elms, alders, hazels, apples, Crataegus, Sorbus, willows, Comptonia peregrina and Quercus wislizenii.