Wingspan 25 to 35 mm.  Quite a variable species, this moth displays colour forms from yellowish through to fairly dark brown.

It inhabits moorland habitats as well as sandy and woodland areas.

The adults fly in July and August in a single generation.

The larval foodplants are Willow, Aspen and Birch.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

This species has declined in our area with few recent records.