[1] It is an abundant species throughout most of Europe east to the Urals, and it is probably the most common lichenivorous moth of the Palearctic realm.

The forewings are white with dark grey cryptic markings, giving excellent camouflage against the lichens on which the eggs are laid.

The intensity of the markings vary considerably, with darker individuals predominating in urban areas, an example of industrial melanism.

Forewing cream white with slaty-grey markings; orbicular and claviform (club shaped) stigmata confluent forming a figure of eight; hindwing whitish grey with cell spot and outer line dark grey.

distincta Tutt the ground colour is white, the discoidal spots dark grey; four short dark dashes on costa at centre and a shade near apex, a short basal streak and a shade beneath the orbicular stigma are the only markings.