The larvae feed on the leaves of oak trees in the Eastern United States and southeastern Canada which can be a major cause of defoliation.

Adult Acleris semipurpurana moths lay single eggs on oak tree branches in June which develop over winter and hatch the next April.

After larvae (or caterpillars) emerge in April, they eat the buds of oak trees and the young leaves inside them.

[2] Other identifying characteristics of the larvae are a long head with a black bar on the cheek or lower portion, and brown legs on the thorax.

The larvae feed and nest inside the tied or folded leaves until mid- to late May, when they begin to pupate.

It has been found in US states ranging from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in the northeast to Minnesota and Texas in the west, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.

[10] Natural methods of pest control usually are sufficient to keep Croesia semipurpurana populations in check, but chemical pesticides are sometimes needed.