Characterized by its imposing size and striking wing patterns, this magnificent nocturnal lepidopteran displays pronounced sexual dimorphism. Adult specimens feature a wingspan ranging from 100 to 145 millimeters, with females being significantly larger, heavier, and more robust than their male counterparts. Their forewings present a dark grayish-brown to olive-green background, intricately detailed with pinkish-red or pastel orange veins and circular spots of a soft creamy yellow hue. The hindwings are much more vivid, dominated by a vibrant orange-red coloration accented by diffuse darker bands. The thorax is heavily clothed in dense, hair-like scales showing longitudinal stripes of orange and yellow. Males possess bipectinate antennae, whereas those of the females are filiform. In its larval stage, this organism is particularly striking, reaching up to 120 millimeters in length and bearing long, formidable thoracic horns and scoli that, despite their dangerous appearance, are completely harmless, varying in color from bright green to dark brown.

Geographical distribution Occurs predominantly in the east-central region of South America. Its presence is thoroughly documented in southern and southeastern Brazil (states such as Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo), northeastern Argentina (primarily in the Misiones province), as well as broad temperate and subtropical areas of Paraguay and northern Uruguay.

Habitat: Primarily inhabits subtropical and temperate forest ecosystems, demonstrating a strong ecological association with the Atlantic Forest biome. It is also commonly observed in gallery forests, transitional woodland zones, and even peri-urban parks or rural orchards where native host plants and fruit trees are abundant. It prefers microclimates characterized by high relative humidity and stable annual rainfall.

Feeding Exhibits a complete dietary divergence between its developmental stages. As an adult or imago, the insect has completely vestigial mouthparts, meaning it does not feed at all and relies solely on lipid reserves accumulated during its caterpillar stage. Conversely, the larva is an exceptionally voracious, polyphagous herbivore. It feeds on the foliage of diverse host plants, including economically important crops and native trees like the peach tree (Prunus persica), the glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), and several wild species within the Myrtaceae and Solanaceae families.

Behavior: Exhibits strictly nocturnal activity patterns during its adult stage. Males are highly active and powerful fliers, utilizing their sensitive antennae to detect chemical cues, and are strongly attracted to artificial light sources. Females are considerably more sedentary due to their heavy, egg-laden bodies, typically remaining near their emergence site while awaiting a mate. The caterpillars are solitary feeders that, when threatened, adopt an erect defensive posture, rearing their anterior segments and thrashing their horned heads side-to-side to deter potential predators.

Reproduction Begins during the early hours of the night when the virgin female releases highly volatile sexual pheromones to attract males over considerable distances. Following a copulation period that can last several hours, the fertilized female initiates oviposition. She deposits her eggs individually or in small clusters on the underside of host plant leaves. The eggs are hemispherical and yellow-colored. Upon hatching, the larvae progress through five or six distinct instars. Once fully grown, the mature caterpillar crawls down the tree and burrows into the soil to a depth of 10 to 15 centimeters, where it excavates an earthen chamber to undergo pupation as a naked pupa (without a silk cocoon), remaining in diapause throughout the cold winter months until emerging in spring.

Conservation status Is not currently evaluated on the IUCN Red List, placing it under the category of Not Evaluated (NE). However, local populations face severe pressure from the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats due to agricultural expansion and urban sprawl. Additionally, the intensive use of chemical pesticides in agricultural zones and light pollution, which disrupts adult navigation and mating, represent serious long-term threats to the survival of this species.