A rare species and mostly known from older records in the northern part of Belgium. Uncommon and more frequently observed in the south. The dark unicolorous forms are predominant.

The larva lives at first on the catkins and leaves of Salix and other deciduous trees like Quercus, Prunus spinosa and Crataegus, and later on different species of herbaceous plants like Rumex and Taraxacum. Hibernates initially as an adult. Mates in December or January and eggs are laid in January or February.

The adults fly from early October till December and reappears after hibernation in February and March in smaller numbers. Males die around December or January, while females live till February or even till early April.They come to light and are more frequently recorded at sugar and on flowers of Hedera.