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A medium-size moth (3.3 - 3.7 cm wingspan) with powdery grey, pale tan and black forewings and white hindwings. The sexes are somewhat dimorphic, with females larger and less contrasting than males, and with less black scaling on the basal half of the forewings and more grey scaling on the hindwings. In males, the basal area and the lower half of the forewings to the postmedian line is mostly black and contrasts with the rest of the pale grey and tan forewing. The postmedian line is thin but complete and the normal spots are obscure or obsolete. Hindwings are shining white, with a thin black terminal band and some dark scaling in the anal angle and along the inner margin. Male antennae are bipectinate. The female is larger with reduced black basal scaling and the orbicular and reniform are outlined in black scales. Hindwing is lightly dusted with grey scales in the outer third and often shows a faint subterminal band, as well as the black terminal one. Female antennae are simple. Very similar to the closely related Raphia frater, which is darker and more evenly colored and lacks contrasting black scaling in the basal area of the forewings.

A western species, occurring south in the mountains to at least Colorado and Utah and northeast to southern Alberta. In Alberta, it is found in the cottonwood stands along the river valleys of the arid grasslands region, north to Dinosaur Provincial Park