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This species is sexually dimorphic with females being about 1.5 times as large as the males and are overall much paler. The forewing has a slight dip along the costa near the apex giving the moth a bell-shape appearance at rest. The forewing has prominent smeared bands in the basal area, median band and short sub-apical costal patch and variably expressed fine dark reticulations through the pale parts of the wing. In females the ground colour of the forewing is pale yellow with medium brown bands while in males the bands are dark brown on a light brown background. In females the hindwing is pale yellow with some grey on the inner half while in males it is dark grey with a paler fringe. The larva is yellowish green with the thoracic shield being variably marked with brown, especially along the edges. The head is yellowish or brown with a dark spot amongst the eyes and a dark dash on the cheek. (Chapman & Lienk 1971)

The eggs are laid in small bunches on the upper-surface of leaves of the host plant. The larva feeds in protective webbing on the underside of leaves and at the end of the season makes a hibernaculum where it hibernates. (Chapman & Lienk 1971)

The larva feeds on apple (Malus sp.), blackberry (Rubus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), maple (Acer sp.), beech (Fagus grandifolia), birch (Betula sp.), and elm (Ulmus sp.). (Chapman & Lienk 1971)