The first of the assassin spider family (Araneae, Archaeidae) found in Western Australia, the species was unknown until its collection at Torndirrup National Park near Albany was published in 1987.

Formally described as Austrarchaea mainae by Norman Platnick in 1991, the spider was nominated as the type species for the Australian endemic genus Zephyrarchaea.

This split from the more widely distributed Austrarchaea was published in 2012,[1] after further specimens were found and collected in nearby areas, along with several other related archaeid species discovered in the region.

Found only near the southern coast of Southwest Australia, a biodiversity hotspot, the species is listed as ‘Threatened’ under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.

Most often associated with bushland dominated by Agonis flexuosa (weeping peppermint), or low shrubs, an outlying population has been collected in karri forest.