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This genus has a forewing pattern that is uniform with the basal patch and median fascia well defined. This well defined region is also separated by an interfascial band of contrasting, lighter coloration. Male moths lack costal folds and notching near the base of their antennae. Male genitalia consist of a prominent clasper on the basal excavation margin and a cluster of long scales on the tegumen (near the area where the tegumen articulates with the vinculum). Female genitalia consist of two tacklike signa with some degree of sclerotization of the ductus bursae. The sculpturing of the sterigma is different between species (Heinrich 1923, Miller 1987, Gilligan et al. 2008). This species has an alar expanse of 12mm (with their forewings 4.5-6mm in length) (Heinrich 1923, Miller 1987, Gilligan et al. 2008). The forewings have dark areas and markings that are grayish yellowish brown or brownish black in coloration. The hindwings (smoky fuscous) are paler than the forewings. The cilia of the hindwings are concolourous and have a fine whitish basal line. The head and palpi are grayish. The ocelli consist of two bars of leaden scales (extend vertically) that contain three or four short black streaks or dots. From the outer third of the costa, a thin, oblique band of lead collared scales extend to and join the inner bar of the ocelli. Cilia are fuscous brown and have a dark basal line (Heinrich 1923). This moth is similar to G. fasciolana but can be distinguished from it by its smaller size and lack of second whitish interfascial band beyond the median fascia. The shape of the valva or sterigma can also further differentiate the two species from each other (Gilligan et al. 2008).

In North America, this species consists of leaf-rolling larvae that feed within their rolled leaves of Populus and Quercus (Miller 1987, Gilligan et al. 2008). These larvae then pupate (mostly likely hibernate as larvae or pupae) and emerge from their leaf rolls as adults in July (Razowski 2003). Most likely multiple generations per year at lower latitudes.

The larva is a leaf-roller and feeds on Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen), Quercus (oak), Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar), and Populus grandidentata (bigtooth aspen) (Prentice 1966, Gilligan et al. 2008).