It is found from southern Canada (Ontario and Quebec) through the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, ranging westward to Oklahoma and Arizona, northward to Minnesota and southwestward to Texas.

Forewing hue varies a lot, but similar sympatric species usually have an additional black band running across the central hindwings.

[2] Adults are on the wing from June to September[citation needed] depending on the location; they are often attracted to UV light at night.

Given that phylogeny and monophyly of Catocala in its present circumscription are unresolved, and that the girlfriend underwing and its closest relatives look quite different from their supposed congeners, Corisce might ultimately be revalidated.

However, C. amica closely resembles other more usually-colored Catocala in possessing no spines at all on the tibiae.