It is a widespread and common species, being found throughout the Palearctic region, including the Near East and North Africa.

The forewing ground colour ranges from light to dark reddish brown.

The inner margin of the pale white sub-marginal line bears black marks.

The drawing resembles a rear-facing trident, is sometimes crow-foot-like and can occasionally be only weakly formed.

[2] Two, sometimes three, broods are produced each year and the adults are on the wing in April and May (sometimes earlier), July and August, and sometimes later in the autumn.