Upperside bright red-orange with submarginal band of small crescents. Hindwing outer margin with row of white spots and then a row of white crescents bordered with black. White median band has 2 rows of black spots.
Females lay eggs in batches on the underside of host plant leaves.
Caterpillars eat leaves and feed together in groups when they are young. Hibernation is by the third-stage caterpillars. Several flights from January-September. Nectar from flowers including yellow composites. Foothill ridges and limestone ridges in mesquite woodland.