P. funerea is also similar in appearance to P. sequens, but the latter species tends to have a prominently underlined kidney-shaped mark nearer to the outer edge of the forewing.

[3] In 2017 Robert Hoare undertook a review of New Zealand Noctuinae and reinstated this species in the genus Physetica.

Head grey with a broad blackish longitudinal stripe on each side of median pale line.

Forewings, costa almost straight, apex rectangular, termen very little oblique, rounded beneath; whitish-grey; markings black or blackish-fuscous; an interrupted double angled line near base; a similar line at ¼, connecting with median band in disc; a broad median band (its posterior margin indistinctly serrate) enclosing orbicular; orbicular well-defined, grey, suboval; reniform rather small but of normal shape; a subterminal band, broadly interrupted above and below middle; a series of semicircular dots round termen: fringes greyish-brown with some white scales.

The form of the palpi shows this species to be allied to the longstaffi group, but it is a larger and more definitely marked insect.

[1] P. funerea can appear similar to specimens of P. sequens, but the later species tends to have a prominently underlined kidney-shaped mark nearer to the outer edge of the forewing, in contrast to P.