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A large (7.5-11.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged grey moth with several black streaks and numerous darker wavy lines crossing the wings. The fine, somewhat diffuse wavy lines crossing the forewing in particular, combined with the large size and the dark and white markings on the thorax, are all diagnostic for undulosa in Alberta. The fringe of both wings is checkered black and white. The other large grey sphinx moths of Alberta have either a streaked as opposed to waved forewing (Sphinx chersis and S. vashti), or are mostly very dark grey or black (Sphinx drupiferarum and S. poecila). Royal Alberta Museum page

The Waved sphinx is a nocturnal species which comes to light. Larvae can be found from mid-June to fall, and they overwinter in the soil as pupae. The Waved Sphinx tends to use mainly non-native tree species as hosts, and is thus most abundant where these have been planted such as cities or farmyards. They are most common in southern Alberta, but can be rather common some years in Edmonton. Their occurrence in Alberta may be a rather recent phenomena, as Ken Bowman, who resided in Edmonton and collected widely in Alberta until the early 1950's found it only in the Lloydminster area.

In Alberta, Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Elsewhere also other species of ash, Lilac (Syringa sp.), Hawthorn (Crataegus), oak (Quercus) and others. Green ash appears to be a favored host, at least in Canada.