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A medium-size moth (approx. 3.5 - 3.7 cm wingspan) with dull black forewings with a straight narrow pale yellow antemedian and curved postmedian lines. The small oblong orbicular spot and larger reniform spot are partially outlined with a fine line of light yellow scales. The cell before and between the two spots is jet black. Hindwings dirty white with a yellow tint, suffused with grey scales and with a dark discal mark and narrow black terminal line. Sexes similar, but male antennae setose, female simple. Smaller than P. bicarneaa and black, not dark brown, without the pale pink or yellow patches of scales in the basal area and on the costa beyond the reniform. Adults and the genitalia of both sexes are illustrated by Lafontaine (1998).

Primarily an eastern species, ranging west the eastern border of BC, north to the NWT and James Bay, south in the east to OH and MD, and in the west south in the mountains to CO. In Alberta collected mainly in the Aspen parklands, foothills and mountains.