The adults of the species are variable in appearance but the three principal variteis are connected b intermediate forms.

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914 using 8 specimens collected in August in Karori by George Hudson.

Forewings elongate, rather narrow, slightly dilated posteriorly, costa gently arched, slightly sinuate in middle, apex obtuse, termen very obliquely rounded; light brownish-ochreous, with scattered black and dark-fuscous scales, in one specimen suffused with fuscous except on dorsal third; stigmata represented by brownish or fuscous rings, usually incomplete beneath, plical obliquely beyond first discal; sometimes a fine angulated fuscous line from 3⁄4 of costa to tornus; in the largest specimen there is a strong black median longitudinal streak from base to 2⁄3, thence attenuated to 5⁄6 : cilia whitish-ochreous mixed with fuscous, with a basal series of blackish dots.

[7][5] Hudson when discussing this species explained that there are three principal varieties connected by intermediate forms.

Fore-wings pale ochreous-brown with brown discal marks before and beyond middle; a very strongly angulated transverse line at 2 and a series of faint terminal spots.

This form varies much in the general depth of the colouring, the fore-wings of some specimens being more or less clouded with dull black.

In all the varieties the hind-wings are pale ochreous, tinged with grey in the darker forms; there is often a series of faint terminal dots on the cilia.