H. numata is a neotropical species, less common in virgin forest than in areas of secondary growth.

It occurs at an elevation of 0–1,800 metres (0–5,906 ft) above sea level in tall forests.

These very large butterflies have long and rounded wings of brown and orange color, with very variable markings due to its capacity of mimicry with several species.

[3] Both H. numata and the species of Melinaea it resembles are unpalatable to predators, making this a case of Müllerian mimicry, a mutualistic reinforcement of the same negative signal.

Caterpillars mainly feed on plants from the subgenera Granadilla, Astrophea and Distephana (Passifloraceae) and from the genera Tetrastyli and Dilkea.