A very rare and irregular immigrant. Only known from records before 1980 in the province of Brabant and from the southern provinces. Can establish itself for a while after an influx of immigrants.

The larva lives on the unripe seedheads and flowers of a variety of plants like Silene, Sanguisorba, Ononis, Artemisia, Centaurea, Hieracium etc. The caterpillars are frequently eating other caterpillars. Hibernates as a pupa in a flimsy cocoon on or below the ground.

The adults have been recorded from mid May till mid August, but most specimens were seen during June and July. It is active during the day in sunshine visiting flowers. They come to light.