Exhibits a highly complex and distinctive wing pattern that serves as an extraordinary form of crypsis. This medium-sized insect features a wingspan ranging from 55 to 70 millimeters. The dorsal surface of the wings displays a deep dark brown to black ground color, bisected on the forewings by a prominent, creamy-yellow diagonal band. In contrast, the ventral side is characterized by a dense, zebra-like mosaic of fine black and white or cream wavy lines that mimic the textured bark of its host trees. A small, subtle blue and orange eyespot is located near the tornus of the hindwing, which acts as a decoy to misdirect predator strikes away from the vital body parts. The body is robust, with dark coloration, and the antennae are slender with well-defined clubs.

Geographical distribution: Occurs widely across the Neotropical realm. Its biogeographical range extends from southern Mexico, through the entirety of Central America (including nations such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama), and deep into South America, reaching as far as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It is also present on several Caribbean islands, most notably Trinidad and Tobago.

Habitat: Prefers humid tropical rainforests, deciduous dry forests, gallery forests, and secondary growth areas. This species exhibits remarkable ecological tolerance, frequently colonizing disturbed habitats, forest edges, tree plantations, and urban gardens where its larval host plants are abundant. Its altitudinal range spans from sea level up to approximately 1200 meters, with a clear preference for humid microclimates near watercourses.

Feeding: Displays highly specialized adult feeding behaviors, almost completely avoiding floral nectar. Instead, adults derive nutrition from fermenting fruits, oozing tree sap, carrion, and animal urine. They are also commonly observed engaging in puddling behavior on damp soil to intake essential mineral salts and moisture. Conversely, the larvae are oligophagous herbivores, feeding exclusively on the foliage of trees in the genus Cecropia (commonly known as pumpwood or yarumo), within the family Urticaceae.

Behavior: Features a unique roosting posture where individuals perch vertically on tree trunks, almost invariably in a head-down position. When the wings are closed, the intricate black-and-white striped ventral pattern blends seamlessly with the ringed bark of Cecropia trees, rendering the insect virtually invisible to avian predators. Flight is rapid, jerky, and powerful. Males are highly territorial, defending specific tree trunks and actively chasing away conspecific rivals or other insect intruders.

Reproduction: Begins with courtship and mating, after which the female deposits eggs on the underside of young leaves of the host plant. The whitish, ribbed eggs are laid singly or in small clusters. Early-instar caterpillars are gregarious and construct defensive shelters by cutting and folding leaf margins. Mature larvae are dark, covered with branched yellow or orange spines known as scoli, and bear two prominent horn-like projections on the head. Upon completing larval development, they form a suspended chrysalis that remarkably resembles a dry twig or a broken piece of wood, providing excellent protection during the pupal stage.

Conservation status: Has not been formally assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning it lacks an official global classification. However, given its massive geographical distribution, resilience to habitat fragmentation, and the abundance of its pioneer host plants, the species is widely regarded as stable and of Least Concern across its native range.