Wingspan 45 to 55 mm. This species ranges in ground colour from creamy-white to dark brown or blackish. The palest forms tend to occur more north and west.

Occupying mainly woodland habitat.

The adults emerge in June and July and can be attracted to light and to sugar.

The larvae feed in the autumn on low herbaceous plants, and then after hibernation in the spring on buds and leaves of trees such as birch and willow.

Reasonably common throughout much of the British Isles. 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 and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).