The underside of the hindwings is mottled and shows a transversal whitish band dividing the wing and well marked white veins.

The distal band of the upperside varies enormously: it may be broad and continuous, or completely absent from the hindwing and vestigial on the forewing.

erythia Hbn., from South France and the East, the distal band is slightly dentate, the spots being acuminate: — in ab.

— Larva bone-colour, with a red-yellow dorsal-stripe in which there is a thin dark line, a yellow side-stripe and feeble, hardly visible, longitudinal hues; till June on Festuca.

[6] This species can be found as far west as Morocco and as far eastward as south-west Siberia and northern Tian Shan.

[1] These butterflies prefer grassy and bushy areas, steppes and arid sparse woodlands, at an elevation of 0–2,500 metres (0–8,202 ft) above sea level.

The larvae feed on various grasses, including Festuca, Bromus erectus, Brachypodium pinnatum, Cynosurus cristatus, Corynephorus canescens, Dactylis and Poa species.