This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1938 using specimens collected by Stewart Lindsay at Mount Torlesse, Canterbury above Porter's Pass in February.

[3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.

Head, palpi, thorax ochreous, partly infuscated or mixed whitish.

Forewings suboblong, hardly dilated, costa moderately arched towards base, then straight, termen almost straight, little oblique; ochreous-grey or grey; markings dark ochreous-brown, or dark fuscous marginally suffused ochreous; basal patch obscure, indicated mainly by a spot on costa at 1⁄5 and one in disc beyond it; central fascia moderate, oblique, straight-edged; some slight obscure mottling posteriorly; cilia light ochreous or greyish-ochreous.

[4][6] The preferred habitat of this species consists of alpine swampy areas.