[1] It was first described by Francis Walker in 1863 using specimens obtained from Colonel Bolton.

[2] The wingspan of this species is 27–35 mm and is extremely variable in colour and patterning.

[3][4][5] The larvae feed on a wide range of native and exotic broad-leaved and coniferous shrubs and trees.

[5] It has been hypothesised that the arrival of Vespula vulgaris in New Zealand might be the cause of the population decline.

[5] It was also hypothesised that the recovery in population may have been brought about as a result of the extended emergence period of this moth which gave those moths emerging later in the season the ability to avoid predation by wasps.