[3] Acleris viburnana is a possible synonym that refers to the North American populations.

There is a moderately large tuft on the submedian fold before the middle, one in middle of disc, and scattered smaller tufts, often black.

The edge of the basal patch is sometimes darker dorsally and there is a large triangular red -brown or dark fuscous blotch on the costa, sometimes whitish-edged anteriorly.

The larva is green; head brownish[6] [7] Julius von Kennel provides a full description.

[8] Adults are on wing from August to October, they overwinter and reappear the following spring.