Forewings are mostly black with cream-colored costal border and lines extending from base in males.

Hindwings are variable in color but usually they are reddish or yellow and show a row of large black spots in median area.

Females have a quite reduced set of pale lines on the forewings and the hindwings have broad black bands in the subterminal area.

The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous and woody plants, including grasses, violets, plantain and clover.

[3][4] This species can be found in North America from Quebec and Maine, south to Florida, and west to Texas and South Dakota.