This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1920. However the placement of this species within the genus Scoparia is in doubt. As a result, this species has also been referred to as Scoparia(s.l.)pascoella.
The wingspan is 15–18 mm. The forewings are ferruginous-brown mingled with some fuscous and much suffused with white. The first line is white, margined with ferruginous posteriorly. The second line is also white, margined with ferruginous anteriorly. The hindwings are grey-fuscous, but paler anteriorly. Adults have been recorded on wing in December.