Wingspan 32-40 mm. Forewing ash grey, rough in texture and marbled with blackish grey. Oval and kidney mark are pale and there is an additional oval joined to the first, and also to the kidney mark in most cases. Ground colour varies with some examples being darker than others.

It tends to inhabit lightly wooded areas and suburban locations.

As the English name suggests, this is one of the earliest moths to emerge in the season flying from March to May and often a visitor to the garden light-trap.

The yellowish-brown larvae feed on Honeysuckle.

It is fairly well distributed throughout Britain, though more common in the south. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

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