The species lives primarily in dry areas, on warm slopes, grassy scrubland and in karstic oak.

Forewing purplish grey brown, the grey predominating in basal area; median area velvety blackish between subcostal vein and vein 1; the claviform stigma velvety black, followed by an elongated patch of ground colour along vein 2 which is black; orbicular reddish grey, ovaland flattened, with pale annulus; reniforrn very large, creamwhite, containing two grey lines, angled acutely inwards along median vein; inner margin diffusely creamy white; a long black streak above it from near base; submarginal line paler than the ground colour, followed by a dark cloud; hindwing shining luteous brownish in outer half, with large dark cellspot and dark veins and outer line.

Larvae are wood brown mottled with grey; a row of diamond-shaped reddish brown blotches traversed by the pale dorsal line; tubercles black, with white centres; subdorsal lines pale, with fine dark edges; spiracles yellowish white.

The larvae feed on low plants such as Ranunculus in the early stages, later preferring such species as Fraxinus and Ligustrum.

[4] In October 2011 however, The charity Butterfly Conservation reported that the moth has apparently become established in the south coast of England.