The forewings are broader than those of most other noctuids, and blackish with a network of fine white lines.

Forewing brownish fuscous, the veins pale; edges of the upper stigmata whitish; the cell blackish; lines pale with dark edges; hindwing brownish fuscous.

[1][2] [3] Larvae are greenish grey, darker dorsally, with subdorsal black patches and a row of indistinct pale oblique streaks along the sides.

The spiracular line is pale, pinkish ochreous, and broadly black edged above.

It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants, such as burdock, Artemisia, mustards, Buddleja, marigold, chrysanthemum, hawthorn, Cyclamen, silverberry, fireweed, forsythia, hop, lettuce, Lepisanthes, apple, Parthenocissus, plantain, Prunus, pear, rhododendron, willow, spinach, dandelion, coltsfoot, and nettle.