Forewings reddish-ochreous to dark brown, sometimes bicolorous; a very large sometimes white scale-tuft in middle of disc; sometimes a white or pale ochreous dorsal streak, or an orange central longitudinal streak; sometimes two fascia-like whitish streaks from costa converging to middle of disc.

[1] [2] It shows a wide variation in appearance and has 137 named forms as well as numerous synonyms.

[4] Adults are on wing from August to November and again from March to May after hibernation.

The larvae feed between spun leaves on various rosaceous trees and bushes, including Prunus spinosa and Crataegus species (e.g. Crataegus maximowiczi).

Other recorded food plants include Carpinus betulus, Ulmus campestris, Rosa, Malus species (including Malus pumila), Salix caprea, Sorbus sambucifolia, Cerasus sachalinensis, Prunus salicina and Zelkova serrata.