It is found from Europe, to southern Siberia, central Asia to the Pacific Ocean.

Furthermore, although Fibiger (1997) treated Euxoa montivaga differently it belongs to the E. tritici complex.

The lateral stripes are greenish-brown.The pupa is brown-yellow and has a blunt cremaster studded with two pointed thorns.

Overwinters as an egg laid on the foodplant, the larvae feed at night partly subterraneous on the roots of Poaceae and a wide range of herbaceous plants such as corn spurrey (Spergula arvensis).

It can be found on heaths, sand dunes, cliffs and open heaty woodland.