Subspecies include:[1] This species exist in mountainous areas in southern Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines, Balkans), at an elevation of 1,800–3,000 metres (5,900–9,800 ft) above sea level.

The forewings are black-gray in males, matt gray in the females, almost translucent and with a metallic sheen.

In the event of an attack by predators such as birds and lizards they emit a liquid containing cyanide.

They are velvety black, with yellowish markings on each segment and short white hair.

Elsewhere they are polyphagous, mainly feeding on Helianthemum nummularium, Anthyllis vulneraria, Dryas octopetala, Silene acaulis, Astragalus alpinus, Carex, Polygonum viviparum, Salix, Thymus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Chamorchis alpina, Betula nana, Viscaria alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Cassiope tetragona, Bartsia alpina and Saxifraga aizoides.