Wingspan 37 to 42 mm.

This species shows a preference for calcareous soils, where it occupies rough ground and heathland.

The single generation is on the wing in May and June, sometimes into July.

A number of plants are used by the larvae as foodplants, including Broom and Dyer's Greenweed. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Reasonably common south of the Midlands, but rare elsewhere.

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