The habitats are related to the dwarf-shrub zone and include subalpine meadows, rock formations and scree with Salix-bushes and shrubs.

In external appearance adults are distinguishable from Callisto coffeella by the forewing pattern.

In basistrigella, the sub-basal whitish silvery line of the forewing is almost parallel and lies in the fold, whereas in coffeella this line is transverse to the wing axis or reduced to a spot.

Genitalia do not provide obvious diagnostic differences but the length of the phallus is significantly longer in basistrigella than in coffeella.

The flight period is largely dependent on exposure and snow coverage and usually extends between early June and late July.