Common in rough grassland, woodland, waste ground, fens, marshes and gardens throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common, possibly increasing. Wingspan 32-42 mm. Larva feeds on various herbaceous plants, including Lesser Burdock, Greater Burdock, Foxglove, Creeping Thistle, Musk Thistle and Spear Thistle, over-wintering as an egg.