At rest, the moth folds its forewings, reddish brown crossed by three alternating light and brown bands, over its back like a cape. The hind wings, hidden beneath, are pale yellow. The larvae are yellowish green with dark brown or black heads.
Mature larvae are about an inch long.
Larvae are often found during the day inside rolled up leaves sealed with silk. The larva emerges at night to feed. The leafroller overwinters as a second or third stage larva within a silken case hidden in protected areas in tree bark, under old bud scales, in cracks and twig crotches. When the larvae emerge on fruit trees, they begin to feed on watersprouts and boring into developing buds. Later, when leaves emerge, they fold leaves for protection for feeding and pupation.