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Identifying species of Scopula can present a challenge, and differences among species are best appreciated by looking at series of specimens. S. limboundata can generally be distinguished from other Scopula by the broad, diffuse band of submarginal spots in combination with the well-defined black discal spots. The submarginal band is variable, and specimens which are almost entirely charcoal grey occur; conversely, individuals which totally lack the submarginal spots (form enucleata) are very similar to S. ancellata and S. junctaria, but limboundata has an irregular PM line (straight or nearly so in ancellata and junctaria), and discal spots are usually absent in junctaria. Structurally the hind tibia of limboundata is more than three times the length of the tarsus, while all other Scopula have a much shorter hind tibia (Covell 1970).

The larvae are thin and elongate, mimicking twigs. They overwinter in the fourth instar (McGuffin 1967, Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light, and can also be flushed by day when they rest with the wings to the side and flattened against the substrate.

Larvae are generalist feeders on trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, including blueberry (Vaccinium), cherry (Prunus), shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), bedstraw (Galium) and smartweed (Polygonum) (Covell 1970).