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Forewings above deep reddish, or pinkish brown with well marked purplish luster, ST band dark, complete and conspicuous. Hindwings above whitish buff with a noticeable fuscous PM line. Females tend to have somewhat darker forewings. Wingspan 22-25 mm. The genitalia are described by Munroe (1976). Similar to Pyrausta fodinalis septentrionicola but P. socialis has forewings that are more intensely colored. Also, in P. socialis the uncus is distally truncate and lateral, thorn-like processes are lacking, while in Pyrausta fodinalis septentrionicola the uncus is rounded and lateral thorn-like processes are present.

Ontario west to British Columbia, south to Montana and Colorado (Munroe 1976). The Type Locality is probably near London, Ontario. Not reported for Alberta by Bowman (1951). Known in Alberta from Big Knife Provincial Park, Buffalo Lake Conservation Area, Dry Island Provincial Park, McKenzie Crossing, Nevis, Tolman Bridge and Waterton Lakes National Park.