The length of the forewings is 16.4–17 mm. The dorsal ground color is a mixture of gray-brown, blackish-brown and beige scales. The veins are lined with gray, especially distally. The anal fold and cubitus are blackish brown and the orbicular spot is diffuse blackish brown. The reniform spot is small and blackish brown. The ventral surfaces of both wings are gray brown and the dorsal hindwing is dirty gray brown, but lighter near the base.
The species is named in honor of Ms. Jessie Bancroft, grandmother of Jessie Hill of Philadelphia and Hawaii, in recognition of Jessie Hill’s contribution to saving and inventorying the conserved ACG rain forest in which Dunama jessiebancroftae breeds.