Adults of this species are small and dark brown with patches of reddish yellow on its forewings.

It inhabits poorly lit forest ravines and gullies or areas near shaded waterways.

[1] The larva of this species can reach a length of 6 mm and is bright green when young, turning a brownish-green when mature.

Forewings, costa evenly arched, apex pointed, termen rounded, extremely oblique; dark fuscous with violet-purple iridescence; many scattered yellow scales, tending to form an outwardly - oblique fascia from costa before middle extending to disc, directly inward, on costa at 5⁄6; cilia fuscous, suffusedly barred with yellowish-white.

[1] Although initially believed to have also been found in Wellington, those specimens are regarded as being distinct from M. fusca and are identified as M.

[1] This species inhabits poorly lit forest ravines and gullies or areas near shaded waterways.