It is found from Central America to Peru and further south into Bolivia.

It is similar in colour and pattern to Xylophanes zurcheri, but the forewing outer margin is more strongly crenulated, the crenulations are all of similar size except for one which is slightly longer.

Furthermore, the most distal postmedian line on the forewing upperside is more conspicuous and straight and delineating a narrow, rectangular, pale purple-grey patch.

Adults have been recorded year round (except March) in Costa Rica.

In Peru, there are three generations per year with adults on wing from January to February, in June and in October.