The Cross-lined Wave has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The forewing and hindwing are yellowish with fine gray speckles. An oblique reddish-brown Postmedian line connects (or almost connects) with the reddish-brown subterminal line at the apex and continues onto the hindwing, forming a continuous line across both wings. The hindwing has a sharply pointed outer margin. The body of the larva is black with yellow lateral streaks on the 3rd and 6th abdominal segments. The head and thorax have 2 dorsal and 2 lateral yellow stripes. The 1st and 3rd abdominal segments are swollen.