It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote and Coleman Townsend Robinson in 1866.

It is found in the Pacific Northwest of North America, as well as the inter mountain region and the Rocky Mountain states.

In Canada, it is found in Alberta and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, including Lupinus species and Viola beckwithii.

This species was formerly a member of the genus Grammia, but was moved to Apantesis along with the other species of the genera Grammia, Holarctia, and Notarctia.