It was described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775 and is found in Europe and east across the Palearctic.

The forewings are brown; a whitish median streak, ending in branches along veins 2-5, often separated by dark fuscous scales; dorsal 2/3 often wholly suffused with whitish-ochreous; a terminal series of black dots; cilia metallic.

The larva is pale pinkish-ochreous; spots brown; head and plate of 2 brown, darker-marked[1][2] The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on various grasses, such as sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), smooth meadowgrass (Poa pratensis), and wheat (Triticum aestivum).

This article relating to the moth tribe Crambini is a stub.