It is found throughout the Palearctic, including Europe (except the South-west and the Arctic Region), Siberia, the Russian Far East and northern China The wingspan is 25–30 mm.

The basic colour of the forewings varies only slightly, in the tints of pale and dark browns.

The outside of the midfield is bordered by a dark cross line with a pronounced bend distad.

The paler marginal field is marked with a faint wavy line that is shaded on the inside by brownish stains.

[4] The larva is stout, rugose laterally, segmentation distinct; ochreous brown; dorsum tinged with green and with a row of large V-shaped dark markings on the abdominal segments, pointing forward.