Two generations between April and September. Common to England, Wales and Ireland, less frequent in Scotland at the north of its range.

A recognisable species with bright straw-coloured stripes running along the leading edges of the forewings, with a second black band behind. The rest of the wings are a rather plain reddish-brown colour.

Flies wildly when it comes to light. The larvae can be seen from June to July and September to October in the south, or August to September in the north, before they overwinter as pupae just below the ground.