Common in a wide range of habitats, including river-banks, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles, but rare in Scotland; far less numerous and less widely distributed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight than
Spectacle A. tripartita. Wingspan 34-40 mm. Similar to
A. tripartita, but ground-colour is brownish black, base of forewing is dull straw or reddish brown and cross-lines are edged with reddish brown (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle and Hop, over-wintering as a pupa.