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A medium-size (3.5-4.0 cm wingspan) dark purple-grey moth. Forewings have a long narrow black basal streak, a larger black streak (dagger-mark) in the anal angle, and a smaller one near the apex. The postmedian-line is prominent, marked with black scales, and loops outward between the costa and the upper dagger mark, between the two dagger marks, and below the lower dagger mark. The orbicular spot is indistinct, marked by a few dark scales. The reniform spot is more prominent and is filled with dark red-brown scales. There are also dark red-brown scales shading the upper part of the lower dagger-mark. Hindwings are grey-brown, darker toward the margin. The sexes are similar, but the female is darker, especially on the hindwings. Antennae simple in both sexes. The Triton dagger-moth is darker and less patterned than the other Alberta dagger-moths. Apharetra dentata is similar in color and pattern and occurs in the same habitat, but is much smaller and flies later in the season.