When at rest, the adults of this species bear a remarkable resemblance to a broken twig of Silver Birch.

Mixed woodland.

The adults fly in June and July.

The yellow-and-black caterpillars live gregariously and feed on a number of different deciduous trees, sometimes defoliating entire branches.

The species is widely distributed and quite common throughout Britain especially in the southern half. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)