The main habitats are warm slopes, heathlands, fields and abandoned quarries.

The graduated buff coloured forewing has a red or brown diagonal slash from the wing tip to the inside edge.

The hindwings are white with a faint diagonal grey streak and a dot on the upper surface.

The egg initially has a light green colour, which changes from reddish yellow to grey just before the caterpillars hatch.

[1][2] The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, including Potentilla, Thymus, Andromeda polifolia and possibly Empetrum nigrum, Rubus chamaemorus and Vaccinium uliginosum.