[3] Its species name atrata is derived from the Latin word atratus, meaning "clothed in black".

In his initial description of the species, Thomas noted that its fur was almost uniformly black.

[5] It has thick and fluffy fur that almost entirely conceals their ears.

Ears are small, round, and sparsely furred.

[5] Its color is mostly black,[4] though its wings are occasionally mottled white.,[5][4] Individual hairs on its back are 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) long.

[1] It was once reported on Santa Isabel Island in 1931,[3] but this was actually a greater monkey-faced bat that had been misidentified.

Logging is also a threat to this species, as it likely roosts in hollow trees during the day.

The only record of its occurrence on New Georgia Island is a single skull discovered in 1975.