A very rare species throughout Belgium.

The larva feeds mainly at night and lives on Myrica gale, Vaccinium, Salix, Betula and various herbaceous plants, especially in the later instars after overwintering. Hibernates as a small larva. Pupates in moss or plant debris on the surface of the soil, without a cocoon.

The adults fly in one generation a year: from mid June till early September. They come especially to sugar in numbers and also to light, usually late at night.