Adult wingspan is about 1 inch. Forewings are mottled gray or brown with a pale spot near the center.
Hind wings are white with dark veins and a fringelike border.
On the second segment behind the head, there is a small black spot on each side of the body. The spot may be difficult to see on a dark caterpillar. Squeezing the caterpillar from the rear may make the spot more apparent. Plantain, lambsquarters and redroot pigweed are important wild hosts. Profuse silk webbing may give infested plants a shiny appearance.