Wingspan 32 to 38 mm. An attractive species, typically with a smooth, velvety grey appearance with strong black markings. In the south there are examples with a more buff or pinkish ground colour, and an extreme dark subspecies edda occurs in Shetland.

Inhabiting woodland fringes, moorland and sandy or chalky soils.

The adults fly in August and September.

The caterpillars are polyphagous, living on a wide variety of plants and grasses.

It is widely distributed, though not always common, throughout Britain. 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).