It is found from southern France, Italy and south-eastern Switzerland through southern, central and eastern Europe to the Caucasus, Turkey, northern Syria and northern Iraq.

In Austria and Hungary, the larvae feed on Centaurea scabiosa, Centaurea jacea and Centaurea triumfetti, while Carduus uncinutus, Carduus arabicus, Carduus salonitana and Jurinea sordida are the food plants in Ukraine.

Larvae of subspecies hades feed on Staehelenia uniflosculosa in Greece.

Pupation takes place in a white cocoon at the ground.

The name of the species is derived from the Greek χλωρός (meaning bright green).