This species was first described in 1883 by Edward Meyrick using specimens collected at Arthur's Pass at 4600 ft in January and named Larentia nephelias.

[4] George Hudson discussed the species in his 1898 volume New Zealand moths and butterflies and referred to it as Xanthorhoe nephelias.

[2] Meyrick first described this species as follows: Pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous; a discal dot, sinuate line beyond middle, and two rows of cloudy spots before hind margin dark fuscous.

Hindwings moderate, in female narrower, hindmargin rounded; ground-colour as in forewings, with a few grey scales posteriorly.

[1][5] This species has also been collected in Central Otago including on Ben Lomond, Nevis Valley as well as at Danseys Pass.