Common in oak woodland, orchards and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-24 mm. Similar in general coloration to
P. cinnamomeana but lacking the white scaling on the frons in the male and the reddish suffusion in the apical area of the hindwing in the female. The angular projection of the median fascia distinguishes
P. heparana from
P. cinnamomeana and from brownish forms of
P. cerasana [Bradley]. Larva polyphagous on various trees and shrubs, including several species of fruit tree, on which it occasionally causes much damage, attacking flowers of crops such as apple, pear, plum and currant, otherwise often living within a spun or rolled leaf.