It is found in the Palearctic realm, from Japan and eastern Siberia to Fennoscandia, Great Britain, and France.

In North America, it ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador to central Alaska and the interior of British Columbia, south to Pennsylvania, Washington, north-eastern California, and in the Rocky Mountains to Utah and Colorado.

The wing pattern differences between putnami and Plusia festucae are not constant.

Genitalic genital dissection is needed to differentiate these two species.

Adults are on wing from July to August in western Europe and from May to October in the northern parts of North America.