It is difficult to distinguish this moth from the more common Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet. The Five-spot Burnet is slightly smaller than the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet and is found where foodplant Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil is present.

Moths with the middle pair of spots merged are more frequent in this species. The Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet flies earlier.

A rare form exists where the red spots are replaced by yellow.

Overwinters as a larva, sometimes twice. Pupates in a cocoon formed low down on the food plant.

The larvae have shorter hairs than the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet.