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Euxoa citricolor belongs to the detersa group, subgenus Euxoa. They are medium-size moths (3.4-3.7 cm wingspan) with pale dull yellow forewings with few markings other than a light dusting of darker scales in some specimens. Forewing markings are greatly reduced, usually confined to a small spot of grey cells at the orbicular, a larger elongated patch marking the reniform, and a terminal band of the same color. In some specimens the antemedian and postmedian lines are thin and scalloped, with a series of dark marks where the lines meet the costa. The hindwings are shining white; females in particular may have some darker scaling along the outer veins and outer margin and a faint median line. The only similar Alberta Euxoa is Euxoa tronella, which is cream or pale buff, not yellow.

Eastern South Dakota and western North Dakota, northwest to southern Alberta, west to western Washington and south and east to southern California, New Mexico and Colorado. In Alberta (and Canada) known only from the Dinosaur Provincial Park and lower South Saskatchewan River areas.