It is found in Costa Rica, where it is known from the Peninsula de Nicoya, and the lowland of central Pacific Costa Rica, at elevations ranging from 50 to 1,286 metres (164 to 4,219 ft).

The dorsal ground color is a mixture of gray-brown, blackish-brown and beige scales.

The ventral surfaces of both wings are gray brown and the dorsal hindwing is dirty gray brown, but lighter near the base.

[1] The larvae feed on Bactris major, Chamaedorea costaricana and Geonoma cuneata.

The species is named in honor of Ms. Jessie Bancroft, grandmother of Jessie Hill of Philadelphia and Hawaii, in recognition of Jessie Hill’s contribution to saving and inventorying the conserved ACG rain forest in which Dunama jessiebancroftae breeds.