It was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794 and is found in Europe and North Africa.

The forewing is greyish to light brown sometimes whitish bands either side of the median area (sometimes obsolete).

The hindwing is pale or bright yellow with a black margin.

[1] Adults are on wing from September to October depending on the location.

The larvae feed on various low-growing herbaceous plants, including Genista, Cytisus and Ulex.