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A medium-size (3.0-3.4 cm wingspan) stubby-winged dark red-brown moth. The basal and postmedian areas are paler than the remainder of the wing. The cubital vein is lightly marked with paler scales, and there is a row of black sagitate marks just inside the subterminal line. The orbicular and reniform spots are finely outlined with black scales, lined inside with pale scales. The hindwings are sooty brown. The small size and ruddy coloration separate rufula from most similar Euxoa, but see also E. intrita. Questionable specimens may be identified using genital characters. The uncus of rufula is very broad and flattened dorsoventrally, and the setae on the dorsal surface are stouter than those near the apex on the ventral surface, which is unique in the Euxoa. The female has an oval unisaccate bursa and lacks flanges on the ovipositor lobes.

Southern Yukon south in the mountains to New Mexico and Arizona, and northeastern California. Subspecies basiflava occurs from southern Yukon south through the mountains of southern Alberta and British Columbia, west to northeastern California. In Alberta, rufula has been collected in the foothills and mountains.