Females are larger and darker than males.
Upperside of forewing is gray to brownish gray with white marginal, submedian, and postmedian bands. The submarginal area may be lighter colored than the rest of the wing. Eggs are deposited in rings around twigs of the host plants, and hatch in July. Young caterpillars feed together. Before pupating fully-grown caterpillars wander around on the ground and then make loose cocoons of debris and silk in which they pupate and overwinter.