Underside of both sexes is off-white with black spots. Those of forewing larger and more squarish than those of hindwing. Orange band on hindwing usually broken into separate spots.
Males patrol around the host plants all day to find females.
Chrysalids hibernate in leaf litter. One flight from mid-May to October depending on host and location. Flower nectar, especially from Eriogonum . Sun-exposed rocky or sandy flats or slopes in foothills, mountains, desert, and along coast. Scattered distribution throughout the western United States from Washington south through Pacific Coast states to northern Baja California.