It was described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1767 and is found in the northern parts of the Palearctic realm.

Forewings dark fuscous, sprinkled with yellow-whitish; first line indistinct, preceded by a whitish dot; second dark fuscous, posteriorly with a waved whitish-yellowish edging, middle third forming a quadrangular projection including a pale whitish-yellowish blotch, below this with a loop inwards enclosing a whitish-yellowish spot; orbicular dot and transverse discal mark darker, separated by a square whitish-yellowish spot.

Hindwings as forewings, but anterior markings obsolete, posterior pale blotches much enlarged.

The larva is whitish-green; dorsal and subdorsal lines green; incisions yellowish; on 3 and usually 4 a black lateral spot.

The larvae feed on elderberry, Calystegia sepium, sunflower, Ligustrum, Viburnum and common lilac.