It is found in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and in western parts of North America, from British Columbia to California, east to New Mexico and north to Manitoba.

[1] The larva is born with yellower patches but eventually grows into the adult coloring.

As larvae, they feed on Mertensia, Lithospermum and Hackelia species.

Adults feed on nectar of various herbaceous flowers, including Cirsium and Solidago.

The latter species has smaller pale areas on its wings and more rounded forewing margins.