Wingspan 26 to 30 mm. The males are darker than the females, and usually slightly smaller.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Areas where the food plant occurs.

The single generation flies in June and July.

The main foodplant in Britain is Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), although abroad it is often a pest on maize crops.

A rare migrant before the 1930's, this species then began to colonise the area around London and the south-east, and has spread to several other areas since but remains very local. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. 

Infrequently recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.