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This group of Dysstroma, consisting of D. citrata, suspectata, walkerata,and truncata, form a complex of species which are often difficult to distinguish without resorting to genitalic characters. D. citrata is usually the most common of the four, and generally flies later in the summer. It is smaller than walkerata, has a paler hindwing than suspectata, and poorly-defined, whitewashed forewing compared to truncata. The brown AM patch at the anal FW margin does not have a well-defined, round border as it does in truncata. The female genitalia are illustrated by McDunnough (1946), which are characterised by a distinctively large appendix bursa.

The larva is pale green with faint stripes, rolling its head under the thorax when disturbed; it rests in the typical geometrid pose, with the anterior part of the body raised at an angle above the substrate. The egg overwinters, unlike truncata which overwinters as a mature larva and consequently appears earlier in the spring (Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light and also sugar bait (Ferguson 1954). The larva is pale green with faint stripes, rolling its head under the thorax when disturbed; it rests in the typical geometrid pose, with the anterior part of the body raised at an angle above the substrate. The egg overwinters, unlike truncata which overwinters as a mature larva and consequently appears earlier in the spring (Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light and also sugar bait (Ferguson 1954). The larva is pale green with faint stripes, rolling its head under the thorax when disturbed; it rests in the typical geometrid pose, with the anterior part of the body raised at an angle above the substrate. The egg overwinters, unlike truncata which overwinters as a mature larva and consequently appears earlier in the spring (Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light and also sugar bait (Ferguson 1954).

A variety of deciduous shrubs, especially alder (Alnus) and willow (Salix); also on western hemlock in B.C. (Prentice 1963). Larvae of this genus and other larentiines usually feed on herbaceous plants, for which specific host plant records are rare; the use of herbaceous plants by D. citrata may therefore be more widespread than the current records indicate.