It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, California, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

The forewings vary from dusky brown to clay.

Adults are on wing from late April to mid-June in one or multiple generations per year depending on the latitude.

The larvae feed on the seeds of Antirrhinum, Gentiana, Gerardia, Iris, Orthocarpus, Penstemon, Physostegia, Solidago, Stachys, Teucrium, Tigridia, Verbascum, Verbena, Veronica, Sarracenia, Scrophularia and Scutellaria species.

Instars four and five overwinter in the flower stalks of the host plant.