Wingspan 17 to 22 mm. A sexually dimorphic species, the females being generally plainer than the males.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographs are required and it is advisable to retain the specimen until the County Recorder has accepted the identification.

Occupying damp places and woodland edges.

The moth is on the wing from June to August.

The overwintering larvae feed inside the roots of Common Fleabane.

A fairly local species in England and Wales, scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.