Common on waste ground and dry open areas throughout the British Isles. In our area reasonably well-distributed, including the Isle of Wight in recent years. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Distinguished from A. cnicana by its usually larger size and the broader, more oblique and almost invariably clearly interrupted, median fascia of the forewing [Bradley]. Larva feeds within seedheads of Greater and Lesser Burdock.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records Very occasional Irregular Uncommon Off-peak, but not unusual Off-peak, but not unusual Main flight time