It is native to the Americas, where it can be found from Argentina and Paraguay to Bolivia and then through tropical and subtropical lowlands from Brazil north through Central America to Mexico, the West Indies, southern Florida and southern Texas.

The prominent broad chrome-yellow band distinguishes this species from all other Xylophaness.

The abdomen has a thin medial line, interrupted at the base of each segment by a metallic yellow dot.

Adults are on wing year round in the tropics.

The larvae feed on Chiococca and Erythroxylum species, and Hamelia patens and Morinda royoc.