Wingspan 13–18 mm. A highly variable species, up to seven forms or aberrations have been described, many of which are identical in appearance to other Acleris species such as Acleris laterana. Wing pattern among the different forms varies considerably, but all have a dark triangular costal patch which ranges in color from brown to red to black.

Form: potentillana - costal blotch blackish, ground colour beige, sub-basal fascia obsolescent. Similar to A.laterana f. comparana.
Form: comparana - costal blotch blackish, ground colour yellow-brown.
Form: fasciana - costal blotch blackish, ground colour whitish-grey coarsely irrorate fuscous and suffused red-brown between costal blotch and dorsum.
Form: latifasciana - costal blotch red-brown, otherwise as f. fasciana. Similar to A.laterana f. laterana.
Form: proteana - costal blotch red-brown, ground colour light grey. Similar to A.laterana f. labeculana.
Form: brunneana - costal blotch red-brown, ground colour red-brown, sub-basal fascia obsolescent.
Form: fuscana - costal blotch poorly defined.

This species fly earlier than Acleris laterana from June to July and is almost invariably smaller in size.

Eggs are laid on lower parts of the plant, usually on the stipules or petioles.

The larva feeds between spun leaves and in the flowers and pupates in a folded leaf. The species hibernates in the egg stage.
They are active from dusk onwards and later come to light.

The larva feeds on a great variety of plants like Potentilla, Salix, Fragaria, Geum and also on glasshouse Azalea's.

It prefers wetlands and bogs.