It is found in north and central Europe and east to south-eastern Siberia and Japan.

It differs from the crepuscularia group in its tone of colour as well as in the shape and position of the postmedian line.

The female is much more whitish than the male and shows a stronger, darker quadrate spot between the postmedian and subterminal lines of the forewing.

Abnormal form nigra Bankes is unicolorous blackish except a very small patch of white distally to the cell.

Larva elongate, transversely wrinkled, with two minute warts on the 8th abdominal segment: yellowish brown clouded with grey and with reddish.