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A medium-size (3.8-4.1 cm wingspan) streaky brownish-grey moth. The "normal" cross lines are obsolete, and the orbicular and reniform spots are elongated white-outlined doodles. The veins are lined with black scales and there are slightly darker streaks between the veins, darkest near the outer margin. A dusting of white scales along the costa and the lower edge of the wing gives them a frosted appearance. The most prominent marking is the rather thin black basal streak and the adjoining black scaling in the space basad to the orbicular. The hindwings are white, with a few dark scales along the veins in some specimens. The forewing fringes are lightly checkered, those of the hindwings solid white. Very similar to both P. postera Fauske & Laf. and Setagrotis radiola (Hamp.), both of which fly much later in the season, in August.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light but have also been observed nectaring in numbers during the afternoon at wolf-willow (Eleagnus) blossoms (C. Schmidt and G. Anweiler, unpublished obs.). There is a single annual brood, which emerges in the spring. The early stages are unknown.