The body length is around a third of an inch and a wing span of an inch (2.54 cm). It is mostly nocturnal and attracted to light. They are poor fliers. Eggs are oval, smooth and yellow, laid alone or in clusters on leaves or near eyes on infested tubers.
Gallant soldiers flowers from May to October or until killed by frost. It can cross or self-fertilize and may have 3 to 4 generations in a year. The composite flower head has 3-8 ray flowers and 15-50 disc flowers. There are around 26 seeds (achenes) in a flower head.
Very common fast growing arable weed. Found in open ground and easy to control with herbicides, but often germinates late in the season in maize crops. Does not like crop competition and shade.
