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A medium-size (3.5-4.8 cm wingspan) red-brown and grey moth. The lower half and outer edge of the forewing in both sexes is mostly dark red-brown, while the inner portions are grey. The orbicular is indicated by a rusty streak, and the reniform by a thin vertical rust line. There is a pair of curved, blackish-brown basal streaks on the lower forewing base. The female hindwing is dark red-brown, while that of the male is white with a dark anal mark. A prominent dark "tooth" is present on the lower forewing margin of the male. The antennae of the males are narrowly pectinate; whereas the females have simple antennae.

Adults have a short flight period, which indicates a single brood and overwinters as pupae. They are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae (illustrated in Wagner et al, 1997) are reported to be solitary defoliators. The moth, although widespread, is very uncommon.

Across southern Canada from Nova Scotia west to the mountains, south to North Carolina and California. In BC and along the west coast, replaced by the very similar N. pacifica (con-specific ?). In Alberta, found mainly in the southern Boreal Forest and Aspen Parklands, and the foothills; north to Lac la Biche and Grande Cache, south to Seebe.