Exhibits a robust and stocky morphology characteristic of the Erebidae family, displaying a highly pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size, where females are significantly larger than males and feature a wingspan ranging from 35 to 55 millimeters. The forewings are primarily pearly white or cream, intricately patterned with numerous circular or oval black spots (ocelli) that provide a disruptive camouflage against lichen-covered tree bark. In contrast, the hindwings are generally lighter, sometimes showing a faint grayish or yellowish shading near the outer margins. The most diagnostic anatomical feature of this species is its bright yellow or orange abdomen, which is boldly marked with black transverse bands or spots on the dorsal side, serving as a striking aposematic warning to potential predators when the insect is disturbed.

Geographical distribution: Occurs natively throughout specific humid regions of South America, with well-documented populations in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, particularly in states such as São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Its geographic range also extends westward into northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay, integrating into the complex forest ecosystems of the Paraná River basin and surrounding biogeographical transition zones.

Habitat: Colonizes primarily the dense and humid ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) biome, showing a clear preference for tropical and subtropical moist forests, forest edges, and secondary growth woodlands. Additionally, due to its ecological plasticity, it is frequently encountered in anthropized landscapes, including suburban gardens, urban parks, and agricultural borders where abundant ruderal vegetation offers suitable microhabitats and host plants for larval development.

Feeding: Displays an opportunistic, polyphagous feeding strategy during its larval stage, during which the caterpillars feed upon a diverse botanical spectrum. The larvae consume foliage from families such as Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Plantaginaceae, eating both mature leaves and tender apical shoots. Adult moths possess highly reduced, non-functional mouthparts (haustellum) and rarely feed, relying almost exclusively on lipid reserves accumulated during their voracious larval phase, though they may occasionally imbibe moisture or nectar to prevent dehydration.

Behavior: Exhibits strictly nocturnal and crepuscular activity patterns, with adults flight-active primarily during the hours of darkness when mating searches take place. Adults are highly phototactic and are easily attracted to artificial light sources, which often makes them visible in urbanized areas. As a defense mechanism, the caterpillars are densely covered in stiff, irritating setae (hairs) that deter predators, while the adults utilize thanatosis (feigning death) and sudden displays of their bright abdominal warning colors to ward off birds and small mammals.

Reproduction: Begins when adult females emit species-specific volatile pheromones from perches in the canopy to attract flying males under the cover of night. Following successful copulation, the female searches for suitable host plant foliage to deposit her eggs, laying them in clumps of small, spherical eggs secured with a sticky protective secretion. The life cycle is holometabolous, progressing through the egg stage, several larval instars, a pupal stage spent inside a silk cocoon interwoven with the caterpillar´s own hairs, and finally emerging as the winged adult, with the entire cycle spanning several months depending on ambient temperatures.

Conservation status: Is currently not assessed globally by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, placing it under the informal status of Not Evaluated (NE). Despite this lack of formal classification, local populations are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest, chemical pesticide runoff from agricultural activities, and severe light pollution in urban environments, which disrupts their nocturnal navigation and reproductive success.