The male's wings are purplish brown with a large transparent space in the middle.

The moth can be found across Canada from Nova Scotia to southeastern Manitoba,[4] and in the United States.

[5] Females release a pheromone which attracts males that swarm around her like bees.

[4] Such mating swarms have been observed at carrion, where host plants may be higher quality due to the influx of nutrients associated with decomposition.

[6] The caterpillars are gray or greenish with dull brownish yellow or rosy stripes.