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A small dusky green geometrid with a faint (sometimes absent) transverse PM line. Flight-worn individuals can fade to a dusky tan, quite unlike the dusky olive of freshly emerged moths. The small size, uniform green abdomen and absence of a PM line will separate this species from other emeralds (Nemoria, Synchlora and Cheteoscelis). Ferguson (1985) recognized two subspecies, both of which occur in Alberta. The nominate subspecies is slightly smaller with more distinct transverse lines, and occurs across the boreal region to the foothills. Subspecies viridipennata (Hulst) occurs from the Rocky Mountains west.

The caterpillar is green with a brown dorsal stripe. The body is slender and without noticeable bumps or protrusions, and the head and first thoracic segment each bear a pair of pointed horns (Wagner et al. 2001). The pupa overwinters. The adults are strictly diurnal. In the boreal forest, adults fly in open peat bogs, but this species is also found in dry montane and eroding river valley habitats associated with patches of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).

Known larval hosts include a variety of shrubs in the Betulaceae, Salicaceae, Ericaceae and Rosaceae (Wagner et al. 2001). Associated with Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) in Alberta.

A northern species, found from Alaska and NWT south to New England, south in the mountains to CA, NV and CO (Ferguson 1985). In Alberta it occurs throughout the boreal and foothills regions, and locally in the aspen parkland south to the Rumsey area.