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A medium-size (approx.3.6 cm wingspan) moth with dark brown forewings liberally mixed with lighter brown and dull black scales. The normal lines are almost obsolete, faintly indicated by lighter scales with the AM line partially bordered by scattered black scales. The orbicular and reniform spots are filled with a mix of dark brown and black scales, and narrowly outlined with pale scales. The most prominent marking is the contrasting prominent pale blue-grey or grey terminal band, followed by a thin scalloped dark line and dark brown and black fringe. The hindwings are solid dark sooty brown with a light tan fringe. Similar to A. variata, which is slightly larger and lacks the pale outline around the spots. Some specimens of Abagrotis placida are superficially very similar, but most specimens can be recognized by their paler brown hindwings, which show a contrasting dark discal mark. Questionable specimens can be identified by examining the genitalia. Adults and the genitalia of both sexes are illustrated in Lafontaine (1998). In addition to other characters scopeops has a large ovate bursa with a single signa; placida has a more elongate bursa with a second signa. The adult and genitalia illustrated here are of the Alberta specimen.

Poorly known. The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is likely a single brood, with adults in the early fall; the Alberta specimen, collected September 4, 2005, was fresh. The early stages and larval hosts are unknown.

Abagrotis scopeopsis a western species, ranging from southern BC south through western MT, ID, UT and NV to southern CA. The only record from east of the mountains appears to be a single female collected at Dinosaur Provincial Park. The Alberta specimen was collected in arid eroded badlands of the Research Reserve in the park.