Wingspan 20-24 mm. There are three subspecies of the large, rather distinctive Pug E. intricata in Britain: they are Freyer's Pug (ssp. arceuthata) occurring in the southern half of England; Edinburgh Pug (ssp. millieraria) which occurs in northern England and Scotland and Mere's Pug (ssp. hibernica), occurring only in the Burren region of western Ireland.

The species inhabits parks, gardens, moorland, or limestone hills, depending on the subspecies.

The adults fly in May and June in a single generation.

Lives on Cypress or Juniper.

Reasonably frequent and widespread in Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)