The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

The species can be found in the Palearctic realm, in western Europe from Scandinavia in the north to just south of the Alps, then east to the Caucasus, Russia, Russian Far East, and Siberia.

There is a light brown central band with white edge lines.

The outer margins of all wings are black with a small faint line.

Upland habitats include moorland, limestone grassland, woodland and hedgerows.