This species closely resembles the much more widely distributed Olepa ricini, and differs only in the presence of a chain-like series of small yellow-banded black spots in between the large spots on the forewings, which are lacking in O. ricini. Head and thorax dark greyish brown. Collar fringed with crimson and with a pair of pale-ringed black spots. Tegulae with two pairs and vertex of thorax with one similar spot. Abdomen crimson with a series of short dorsal black bands and lateral spots. Forewings are fuscous brown with very numerous pale-ringed black spots in the interspaces. Hindwing crimson, with ante-medial, medial, post-medial and marginal bands and more or less conjoined blotches. Larvadark brown in body colour with white and dorsal and lateral tufts of long dark hair.