Wingspan 25 to 33 mm. When at rest, this moth appears to show only three dots, one being hidden by the overlapping wings. Occasional specimens have a more yellowish ground colour to the forewings.

Inhabiting heaths and open woodland.

Adults fly from dusk onwards during the period from June to August. They can also be disturbed from low vegetation such as heather during the day.

Commonest in the south of England and Wales, it can also be found locally in the rest of mainland Britain to parts of Scotland. There is only a single record for Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).