The larvae host plants include Nasturtium officinale as well as species in the Cardamine genus.

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using specimens collected in Nelson by T. R. Oxley and named Cohemia semifissata.

The fore-wings of the male are pale pink; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, a very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much broader on the costa than on the dorsum; the centre of this band is paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the apex of the wing; the veins are dotted in black.

The hind-wings are bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines.

The female is darker in colour than the male, the central band is broader; there are numerous brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the principal veins are marked in pale ochreous.

[9] The adults have been collected in March, May, August and October in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch.