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Other members of the genus are generally univoltine and adults are early fliers (Hodges 1974). Specimens have been collected in early April in the southern portion of its range (Hodges 1974). In Alberta, adults are active in late-April and May.

Similar to S. merriccella, overall forewing colouration (the costal margin and most of the forewing) is brown (Hodges 1974). Both species have a distinct black band in the discal cell region of the forewing and the costal margin of the band is concave (Hodges 1974). In S. packardella, the band appears sinuous and occurs through the entire discal cell length (Hodges 1974). This is distinguished from S. merriccella because the line is often absent in the basal discal cell region (Hodges 1974). With a wing span of approximately 10.0 to 13.5 mm, S. packardella is typically smaller (Hodges 1974). Genitalic characters can also be used to distinguish the two species from each other (Hodges 1974). Semioscopis packardella males have eight cornuti whereas S. merriccella have two (Hodges 1974). In addition, the aedeagus of S. packardella is straight and narrows to a point but in S. merriccella the aedeagus is narrow and curved (Hodges 1974). Females are distinguished based on the number of inward directed projections on the signum (Hodges 1974). Female S. packardella have two projections while S. merriccella have several projections (Hodges 1974).

Unknown but larvae from the S. inornata nearctic group are leafrollers which feed in June and July. The pupae of S. steinkellneriana, a related European species, overwinter in a chamber in the ground (Hodges 1974).

In Canada, adults have been observed in central Alberta and southern Quebec and Manitoba (Hodges 1974). In the United States, this species has been encountered in California, Idaho and Oregon and in the states between New Jersey and Ohio (Hodges 1974).