Wingspan 22-26 mm. This is an easy species to recognise - its dark brown wings have large pale circular patches and are lightly fringed.

Rough ground and in gardens where Elder flourishes.

June to July is the main flight period often attracted to light. Adults can sometimes be disturbed during the day from the foodplant.

The larvae feed on the young leaves of Elder; they hibernate during the Winter, pupating in the Spring.

Fairly common throughout England and Wales, and also Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

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