Occurs from sea level to 1,800 m, in association with all forest habitats. This is the commonest species in Central America, and its floppy, zigzag flight along rivers and forest edges and through coffee plantations is a familiar sight. The males patrol from early morning until midday, and females are usually active only during midday, when they are seen weaving in and out of vegetation. The scent hairs adjacent to the male claspers can be extruded with gentle pressure, and smell like vanilla. The female is generally larger, has a wider black margin, and has a circular plate terminating the last abdominal segment.