A medium-sized migratory butterfly common throughout most of the Palearctic region (throughout Europe and temperate Asia). In Israel it is found only on Mount Hermon in the summer months. It is considered extremely rare; it may be more common, but due to its fast flight it is difficult to identify. Wingspan about 50 mm. Produces two generations a year. The adult undergoes winter diapause, and on warm winter days it can sometimes be seen flying.
The female lays her eggs in clusters on nettles. The egg color is yellow.
The egg hatches into a gray-black, hairy caterpillar. As it grows, its color remains gray-black, but light stripes appear לאורך its body (one form is a broad yellow stripe on the back לאורך its body). When it reaches a size of about 25 mm, it pupates on the host plant.
The pupa is brown and has golden spots; its size is about 20 mm. Its period is about two to three weeks.