A medium-sized butterfly common from Europe to Russia. In Israel it is common only in the Hermon and there at the southern limit of its distribution. It flies in the months of May and June. Its wingspan is about 50 mm. It has one generation a year. The female is lighter than the male. In the country, little is known about its life cycle. In Europe, the female lays her eggs on the common violet (pansy).
The emerging caterpillar is brown with a dark head and is hairy. The caterpillar undergoes winter diapause until the following spring. In spring, when the violet grows, it wakes from its sleep and begins its activity. It grows quickly, its color changes to orange, and it has a large yellow stripe. The caterpillar has fleshy, long, thin, hairy horns. Its maximum size is about 35 mm.
The pupa is reddish brown, about 20 mm long. Its duration is up to two weeks.