This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1883 using specimens collected at Castle Hill and Dunedin, and given the name Arsinoe prionota.

Forewings moderate, hindmargin rounded, in male crenate, in female dentate; light-ochreous; numerous indistinct sinuate dentate fuscous or dark fuscous striae; in male costa and hind- margin suffused with dull light green; a broad median band indistinctly suffused with dark fuscous, in female hardly perceptibly, the lines forming its posterior edge bent in middle into a rather strong indented projection; in male an indistinct dark fuscous subterminal suffusion; an indistinct dark fuscous discal dot.

The forewings are dull yellowish-brown, with many obscure, wavy, transverse, brown lines, which tend to form two ill-defined bands, one rather narrow near the base and the other much broader near the middle of the wing.

It has been collected at Gouland Downs in the Kahurangi National Park, as well as at Castle Hill in Christchurch and in Dunedin.

[7] It is regarded as not common and difficulty has been had sourcing specimens good enough for the addition of this species into a photographic database.

[6][13] The adult moth is regarded as being a medium flyer with the ability to remain active in light breezes.