This genus was created to contain two minute biconic species distinguished from members of Zafra and Seminella by the lack of sculpture on the shell or protoconch, and from Mitrella by the lack of labial denticles (Drivas & Jay, 1990); they are otherwise similar to Zafra and Seminella in their small size and biconic shape. One of the included species has subsequently been removed to another new genus, so Ascalista currently comprises only the type species (by original designation) Ascalista polita (G. & H. Neville, 1875).