A common species throughout Belgium.

The larva lives on various deciduous trees like Quercus, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus, Ulmus and Acer campestre. It can be carnivorous on other caterpillars. Hibernates as an adult and becoming active in mild weather.

The adults fly from September till November and after overwintering again from February till late April in one generation. Most numerous from mid October to mid November and from late February till March. They come to light and more frequently on sugar.