ADULT: Wingspan 38-46mm.  A quite thickset and ornate moth with dark brown forewings touched with reddish areas and marked with black-edged white crosslines and kidney and orbicular spots.  The hindwings are distinctly straw coloured and have a broad blackish band at the margin. CHRYSALIS: Found in underground chamber. LARVA: Brown with dark markings and feeding on various grasses. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light and nectar rich flowers. The larvae are nocturnal feeders.  HABITAT: Grassland, moors and downs as well as coastal gardens. FLIGHT PERIOD: One generation.  July to August.  Comes to light. STATUS: Resident.  Locally common but scarce in South-West.