This large and striking nymphalid butterfly is renowned for its impressive wingspan and vibrant coloration, which serves both as an aposematic warning to predators and as an effective camouflage within its native forest environments. Adults typically exhibit a wingspan ranging from 85 to 110 millimeters. The dorsal surface of the wings features a deep dark brown or velvety black background, dramatically contrasted by large, translucent patches of bright malachite green or yellowish-green, which gives the species its distinctive common name. Conversely, the ventral side of the wings presents a completely different camouflage pattern composed of light brown, pale orange, and olive-green tones with pearlescent markings, allowing the insect to blend seamlessly with dead leaves when resting with its wings folded vertically.

Geographical distribution: This species is widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region and extends into the southern reaches of the Nearctic zone. It can be found from the southern United States, particularly in southern Florida and southern Texas, through Mexico, Central America, and across the islands of the Caribbean. In South America, its range extends southwards through Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and vast areas of Brazil, reaching as far south as northern Argentina in humid forested zones. Its high ecological plasticity has allowed it to successfully colonize both Caribbean islands and dense mainland rainforests.

Habitat: It primarily inhabits the understory and canopy openings of wet tropical and subtropical rainforests, gallery forests, forest edges, and secondary growth areas. However, it displays a remarkable tolerance to human-altered landscapes, frequently appearing in shaded coffee plantations, citrus orchards, forest roadsides, urban parks, and botanical gardens where high humidity is maintained. It is generally restricted to low and moderate elevations, ranging from sea level up to 1,400 meters above sea level, where consistent moisture and larval host plants are readily available.

Feeding: Unlike many butterfly species that rely almost exclusively on floral nectar, this insect exhibits highly generalist and opportunistic feeding habits. Adults actively seek out vital nutrients from decaying fruit (such as fallen mangoes, bananas, and citrus), bleeding tree sap, mammal dung, and carrion, which provide essential amino acids and minerals. They are also frequently observed engaging in puddling behavior, landing on wet soil, mud, or riverbanks to extract dissolved mineral salts. The caterpillars, on the other hand, are highly specialized herbivores that feed exclusively on the foliage of plants in the Acanthaceae family, showing a strong preference for species within the genera Ruellia (such as Ruellia tuberosa), Justicia, and Blechum (such as Blechum pyramidatum).

Behavior: It exhibits a flight pattern that alternates between rapid, powerful wingbeats and elegant gliding phases, usually flying relatively close to the ground within the forest understory, though it can swiftly escape to the high canopy if disturbed. During peak sunlight hours, males exhibit highly territorial perching behavior, stationing themselves on sunlit leaves about one to three meters above the ground to monitor their surroundings, actively chasing away rival males and intercepting passing females. It is a strictly diurnal species that regulates its body temperature by basking in the morning sun with its wings fully spread to warm up its flight muscles.

Reproduction: The reproductive cycle begins with an aerial courtship where the male pursues the female until she settles on a leaf. After mating, the female searches for suitable host plants from the family Acanthaceae to lay her eggs. The small, dark green, ribbed eggs are deposited singly on the underside of young leaves or fresh buds. Upon hatching, the larvae emerge as shiny black or dark green caterpillars covered in branching, protective spines (scoli) and possessing a pair of distinctive horns on their heads, which deter invertebrate predators. After progressing through several instars, the mature caterpillar pupates by hanging upside down in a "J" shape, forming a pale green chrysalis with small golden spines from which the adult butterfly will emerge in approximately ten to fourteen days.

Conservation status: According to global assessments by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this species is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) or Not Evaluated (NE) due to its vast geographical range, stable populations, and adaptability. While it is not globally threatened, local populations are vulnerable to the widespread use of agricultural pesticides and herbicides, which eliminate their larval host plants. Additionally, severe habitat loss through clear-cutting and urbanization can isolate populations, making the preservation of riparian corridors and native secondary forests critical for its long-term survival.