It is the only species in the monotypic genus Pseudalmenus, described by Hamilton Herbert Druce in 1902.

The lower wings have orange patches and black tails with white edges.

[1] The larvae of the silky hairstreak secrete substances that attract Anonychomyrma biconvexa ants.

[6][7] It is found in south-eastern Australia including New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

[9] The caterpillars feed on various Acacia species including the A. dealbata, A. decurrens, A. elata, A. mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, A. obtusata, A. pravissima, A. terminalis and the A.