Exhibits a striking and highly pronounced sexual dimorphism, with a wingspan ranging from 70 to 90 millimeters. Males feature a dorsal background of dark brown to velvet black, bisected by a prominent pale yellow or cream-colored transverse band running across both forewings and hindwings, along with subtle reddish or pinkish crescent markings near the anal angle of the hindwings, which terminate in a distinctive tail-like extension. Conversely, females are mimicry-driven, displaying a distinct phenotypic pattern with a diagonal whitish or grayish band on the forewings and a series of vibrant magenta or deep red submarginal spots on the hindwings, closely mimicking toxic pipevine swallowtails of the genus Parides. Their bodies are robust, supported by strong thoracic muscles that enable a powerful, undulating flight.

Geographical distribution: Occurs widely across the central and southern regions of South America. Its geographical range spans from the southern and southeastern states of Brazil, extending through eastern Paraguay, into northeastern Argentina (particularly within the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, and northern Buenos Aires), and throughout most of Uruguay.

Habitat: Primarily frequents the undergrowth and canopy of the Atlantic Forest, riparian woodlands, and forest edges. It is a highly adaptable insect, frequently encountered in suburban gardens, urban parks, and citrus orchards where larval host plants are abundant, displaying a notable tolerance to moderately anthropized landscapes.

Feeding: As an adult, this species is strictly nectarivorous, utilizing its long proboscis to feed on the nectar of various flowering plants, with a marked preference for species within the families Verbenaceae and Asteraceae. In contrast, the larval stage is exclusively phytophagous, feeding voraciously on the foliage of host plants belonging to the family Rutaceae, notably Citrus species and Zanthoxylum, as well as some members of Piperaceae.

Behavior: Adults are highly active during warm, sunny hours, demonstrating a rapid, powerful, and erratic flight pattern. Males frequently engage in hilltopping, gathering on elevated geographical points to establish temporary territories and intercept receptive females. Additionally, males exhibit puddling behavior, congregating on wet mud, damp sand, or decaying organic matter to extract sodium and other vital minerals. Females fly closer to the vegetation, meticulously searching for suitable host plants.

Reproduction: Begins with an intricate aerial courtship ritual. Once mating is complete, the female deposits spherical, pale yellow eggs individually on the underside of young host plant leaves. The larvae progress through five distinct instars. The early-stage caterpillars mimic bird droppings in coloration (brown and white) to evade avian predators. The mature larvae display a cryptic green and brown pattern and possess an osmeterium, a reversible, Y-shaped bright orange defensive gland located behind the head that emits a pungent, noxious chemical compound when disturbed. Pupation takes place in a chrysalis that perfectly mimics a dead twig or dry leaf, secured by a silken girdle.

Conservation status: Has not been globally evaluated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is generally considered common within its range. However, localized populations are vulnerable to the ongoing destruction of the Atlantic Forest biome, habitat fragmentation, and the widespread application of chemical insecticides in agricultural zones.