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A small to medium-sized moth, with a wingspan of 13-23 mm in females, 12-19 mm in males. As many as twelve spots border the outer wing margin; wings medium brown ventrally, white dorsally, fringes white, hindwing darker than forewing. Body less robust than in Tegeticula (Davis 1967). Labial palps white, with long erect hairlike scales arising ventrally; Abdomen entirely white (Davis 1967). Females with ovipositor more robust than in Tegeticula, apex of ovipositor obliquely truncate (Davis 1967); male lacking pollex, unlike Tegeticula (Pellmyr 2000).

P. quinquepunctellus adults oviposit in the stems of their host plants. Larvae feed in the fruiting stalk, and remain within the plant to overwinter. Whereas Tegeticula yuccasella emerges from its host as a larva, P. quinquepunctellus completes its development inside the host and emerges as an adult (Pellmyr 2000). P. quinquepunctellus depends on T. yuccasella since the flower stalks of some yucca species die off if there is no pollination (Pellmyr 2000). Parasites include Heterospilus prodoxi (Braconidae), Eudecatoma flammineiventris (Eurytomidae), and Calliephialtes notandus (Ichneumonidae) (Davis 1967).

In Canada, this species is found only in the southeast corner of Alberta along south-facing coulee slopes of the Lost River, Milk River and adjacent coulees. Occurs south to northern Mexico wherever the hostplant is found (Pellmyr 2000).