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A medium-size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) moth with light and dark grey forewings. The antemedian and postmedian lines are doubled, outlined with dark scales and filled with paler scales. The subterminal line is wavy, with bordered with patches of black patches of at the costa and in a wedge distad from the reniform. The most prominent markings are the large oval or teardrop-shaped pale grey orbicular spot and the similar size reniform spot, the later largely filled with rust-brown scales. The rust-brown scales in the reniform separate impertita from other Alberta Xestia sp. Sexes similar, but male antennae setose; female simple. Lafontaine (1998) illustrates the genitalia of both sexes.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood in Alberta, with adults from mid July through August, peaking in late July. The larva is described by Lafontaine (1998). The larval host plants are apparently unknown, although larvae have been reared in the lab on blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx.)

Newfoundland and northern New England west to southern YT and BC, north to the arctic coast and south in the mountains to CO. In Alberta it occurs throughout the boreal forest, foothills and mountains. It is found in open coniferous forest, bogs and similar boreal habitats.