This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

This species was first described by John S. Dugdale in 1971 using specimens collected at Station Point at the Snares Islands by Peter M.

[2] Dugdale originally described the species as follows: Adult fully winged; eyes not reduced; frons and vertex planoconvex, maxillary palpi minute, pollected, labial palpi with apical segment untufted at 1⁄2 length but with a band of black scales.

: an oblique mark on the costa basally, a 2nd at 1⁄3, connecting a diffuse blotch on the discal cell; another distinct spot at the apex of the discal cell; costal apex, and termen with an interrupted marginal series of black scales.

[4] This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.