[3] In Europe and Russia, these butterflies prefer the edge of pine forests and tall damp grassland in hills and mountains up to 2400 m.[3] Erebia aethiops has a wingspan of 42–46 mm.

The background colour of the wings varies from dark brown to black brown, with reddish-yellow bands, black eyespots with white pupils and greyish wing fringes, weakly chequered in the females.

The underside of the hindwings shows a whitish or cream banding[5] but there is a slightly marked sexual dimorphism.

The pupae are yellow brown and relatively short and compact, reaching a length of 12.5–124.5 millimetres (0.49–4.90 in).

The hibernating larva is reported to feed on Agrostis, Dactylis, Poa annua, Bromus erectus and other grasses.