[4] These moths inhabit limestone and chalk grassland, rough downland, open woodlands, pastures and grassy areas.

[7] The underside of the wings usually shows also a blackish transverse stripe beyond the middle, very faint in the hindwings.

With the disappearance of the scales the black veins on the undersides become increasingly visible on the uppersides through the wings.

The caterpillar feeds on various herbs, (Origanum majorana, Dactylis glomerata, Hypericum maculatum, Vicia species, Galium verum, Solidago virgaurea, Achillea millefolium, Tanacetum vulgare), and woody plants (Salix aurita, Viburnum opulus).

[6][9][10] The species overwinters as half-grown caterpillar and then pupates in a cocoon attached to a grass blade, or a plant stem.