This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1931 using a specimen collected at Little River, Banks Peninsula in January by Stewart Lindsay.

[2][3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.

Forewings rather narrow, long-pointed; bronze-grey; an orange basal mark from costa to fold; dorsal area as far as fold orange mixed ferruginous, slightly tinged grey near base; an obscure suffused ferruginous supramedian streak from 1⁄5 to beyond middle; cilia light bronzy-grey.

[1][5] As well as the type locality, this species has also been collected at Akaroa, Riccarton Bush, Prices Valley at Banks Peninsula, Klondyke Corner at Arthurs Pass National Park, McQuilkans Creek at Swampy Summit near Dunedin, and Dunsdale Scenic Reserve in Southland.

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