[1][2] It is native to northern North America, where it occurs across Canada and into the eastern United States.

It is mostly black with areas of pale hairs.

[3] This species occurs in the maritime regions of Canada, taiga, tundra, temperate forests, and the Canadian Prairies.

It can be found in wetland habitat, wooded areas, and urban gardens.

It feeds on many kinds of plants, such as bellflowers, thistles, honeysuckles, penstemons, pickerel weeds, and lindens.