Wingspan 30-46 mm. A variable species with a number of subspecies and forms occurring in Britain.

It occupies grassland, chalk downland and sea-cliffs

The adults fly in the daytime visiting various flowers and are on the wing in June and July.

The larval foodplants are such low plants as Clover and Vetch.

The subspecies latomarginata is the most widespread, occurring in much of England except the south-west, and south Wales. The subspecies jocelynae is found locally on the Isle of Skye, the only Scottish location, and ssp. insularis occurs in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths this species was classified as common.In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Occasional and local in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant), but possibly increasing.