A quite small species, with a wingspan of only around 25mm it is nonetheless very brightly and distinctively coloured and with the trademark yellow underwing which has a thick black border in this species.

Frequenting acid moorland where heather is present.

There are probably two generations in the south, with moths on the wing from May to August. In the north it flies in June and July. This is a diurnal moth, flying freely in warm sunshine, but tending to rest when the sun goes in.

The larvae feed mainly on heather.

It has a scattered distribution over most of Britain. 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).