Wingspan 40 to 65 mm. The males of the Fox Moth are generally more reddish-brown than the females, which are slightly larger and greyer.

Its preferred habitats are open woodland, moors and commons.

May and June. The males fly in the afternoon, whereas the females tend to fly only at night.

The caterpillar is covered with blackish and tawny-coloured hairs and feeds on Heather and Bramble amongst others.

The species is well distributed over much of Britain, and common in places. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).