The species was first described by Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper in 1805.

It is found in northern Europe and in mountainous areas from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland and northern Russia to Japan.

It is also present in Great Britain, Romania and Bulgaria and in the Alps.

Adults are on wing from June to August and are day active.

The larva feeds on the leaves of various low-growing plants, including Betula nana and Empetrum nigrum.