Upper surface of hindwing has yellow-orange eyespot near tail with round black center that is not connected to hindwing margin. Anal cell of hindwing is primarily yellow. Female lays eggs singly on host plant leaves and flowers.
Young caterpillars eat leaves while older ones eat flowers.
One flight from April-July. Bare hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides. From British Columbia southeast to North Dakota, south to s. A rare stray to central Nebraska and eastern North Dakota. G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.