The wingspan is 28–36 mm. Forewing greyish rufous; costal area paler for two-thirds, edged below at base by a fine dark streak; claviform stigma small and obscure; cell black brown; the two stigmata pale, orbicular variable, sometimes large, sometimes contracted to a white spot; hindwing dark grey; antennae of male serrate, with sessile fascicles of cilia. In the form hebridicola Stgr., from the Hebrides, the forewing becomes paler and loses the red tinge; in scopariae Mill, from France the red tinge is overpowered by black suffusion.[1]
Figs 5,5a,5b,5c larva after last moult
Biology
Adults are on wing from in September.
Habitat
Larva green, with pale dark-edged lines, the spiracular broad and conspicuous. The larvae feed on Calluna species.
References
^Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
