It is a common grass on grassy balds in the southern Appalachians, where it occurs with redtop (Agrostis alba), timothy (Phleum pratense), Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis), red fescue (Festuca rubra), five-fingers (Potentilla canadensis), and sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella).
The larvae feed on the stems of various grasses, including Gramineae, Phleum and Alopecurus species, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, Elytrigia repens, Elymus arenarius, Dactylis glomerata and Festuca arundinacea.