[3] The lectotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

[4] In 2019 Robert Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand Noctuidae species.

There is a dark brown suffusion from the terminal line to the termen tending to grey at the outer edge and at the apex.

Cilia warm brown, tipped with ochreous, with darker bars at the vein endings.

A dark, almost black, suffusion crosses wing from between orbicular and reniform to half way along dorsum, and extends outwards on the lower portion of the wing to the subterminal line just below the tooth-like markings.

Veins on lower area of the forewing lightly outlined in grey intermixed with black spots.

[2] The darker forms of this species, found in Fiordland and Stewart Island, have a less distinct discal spot.

[2] There is one specimen collected in the Pouakai Range, Taranaki in the North Island.

[2] Having examined the specimen, Hoare identified it as I. sericata but had reservations given the location of its collection.