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A small (2.0-2.4 cm wingspan), broad-winged fragile little moth. The forewings are light grey-brown, darkening slightly toward the outer margin, and with the curved darker brown antemedian and postmedian lines. The hindwings are a bit lighter, especially in the basal half, with the two lines of the forewing continuing across them, but not as clearly marked. The reniform is usually indicated by a short brown bar or crescent. The male antennae are broadly bipectinate (female's are simple), the palps are very long (as long as the head and thorax combined), and flattened laterally. P. hanhami is much darker chocolate brown, and better marked. The feathery antennae in the male will separate them from most similar species (i.e. Zanclognatha). Easily mistaken for small geometrid moths.

Nova Scotia and Quebec, west across Canada to Vancouver, south to North Carolina and Tennessee. In Alberta, it has been taken across the Aspen Parklands and southern Boreal Forest, as well as in the foothills and at low elevations in the mountains.