Females are larger than males. Upperside is reddish orange with scattered small black specks and faint postmedian lines on both wings. Forewing has a small white cell spot. Males are redder than females. Texas individuals of both sexes are browner.
Young caterpillars feed together and when older they feed alone.
Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in underground chambers. G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. Ferguson, D. C. in Dominick, R. B. et al. 1971. The moths of America north of Mexico, fasc.