Wingspan 60 to 80 mm. A large and very distinctive species with brown wings striped with white.

Most records are of adults attracted to light.

This immigrant species generally arrives between May and October.

In good migration years caterpillars can be found in Britain, the progeny of earlier arrivals. They feed on low plants such as bedstraw and dock.

A scarce immigrant species, which occurs in small numbers in most years, mainly in the south. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).