Characterized by a robust body densely covered with sensory setae and a wingspan ranging from 60 to 85 millimeters, this taxon displays striking sexual dimorphism in body size and antennal structure. The forewings feature a highly cryptic pattern of grayish-brown and ochre tones, mimicking dead leaves to blend seamlessly against tree bark. In stark contrast, the hindwings present an extraordinary warning pattern centered around a prominent dark blue or black ocellus bordered by white and a vivid concentric band of bright yellow or orange, which functions as a startle display against potential predators. The mature caterpillars are bright green and adorned with highly venomous, urticating branching spines known as scoli of a yellowish-green hue.

Geographical distribution: Occurs primarily within the Neotropical region of South America. Its distribution is widely documented in southeastern Brazil, including states such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Paraná, extending southward into northern Argentina (principally in the Misiones province) and across various humid forested areas in Paraguay.

Habitat: Prefers humid forest biomes, showing a strong association with the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), as well as transition zones leading into the Cerrado and wooded savannas. It is typically found from sea level up to moderate elevations of approximately 3,900 feet (1,200 meters), where high relative humidity and dense canopy cover provide both shelter and a continuous supply of host plants.

Feeding: Exhibits distinct feeding strategies depending on the life stage. Adults possess vestigial, non-functional mouthparts and do not feed at all, relying entirely on lipid reserves accumulated during their larval stage. Conversely, the larvae are highly voracious, polyphagous feeders, consuming the foliage of various plants belonging to the Fabaceae family (such as Mimosa and Acacia species), as well as members of the Myrtaceae and Rosaceae families.

Behavior: Displays strictly nocturnal activity patterns during the adult stage, with males being highly attracted to artificial light sources and chemical signals emitted by females. When threatened while resting, it rapidly spreads its forewings to expose the large, intimidating eyespots on its hindwings, a deimatic defense mechanism meant to startle avian and mammalian predators. The larvae exhibit gregarious behavior during their early developmental stages before dispersing to become solitary feeders in later instars.

Reproduction: Begins during the nocturnal hours when the receptive female releases species-specific sex pheromones to attract males. Following a copulation process that can last several hours, the female deposits her eggs in clusters on the underside of host plant leaves. The ovoid, whitish or pale yellow eggs hatch after an incubation period of 10 to 14 days. Larvae undergo several developmental molts before crawling down to the ground or finding crevices in tree bark to spin a coarse silken cocoon mixed with leaf litter, where they pupate.

Conservation status: Has not yet been formally assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thus remaining categorized as Not Evaluated (NE). However, localized populations are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and the reduction of native host plants due to agricultural expansion and the widespread use of chemical pesticides in South American forests.