This species can be found in central and southern Europe (Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Netherlands) and in North Africa (Algeria and Morocco).

The underside hindwings is light yellow-brown marbled with a few large white spots, including a characteristic anvil-shaped discal mark bordered with dark lines in the cells four and five.

[5] Unlike most European Pyrgus species this skipper can usually be readily identified in the field as it is noticeably paler than its congeners.

This is due to a heavy dusting of yellowish scales which overlies the dark brown base colour.

The eggs are yellowish, roundish, and flattened at both ends, with up to twenty strong longitudinal ribs on the surface.