The Mosaic has a defence mechanism based upon camouflage. It has a false head pattern, that makes it confusing to figure out which end is which. Most birds attack prey by the head. If a bird were to attack this butterfly and picked the hind end, it may get away with a bit if wing, and the butterfly might get away. Size is 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches). This distinctively marked species habitually sit on the tree trunks in a head downwards posture, at a height of about 2 metres, to imbibe sap and moisture from crevices in the bark. If approached they sometimes try to evade the intruder by running around to the opposite side of the tree, and if followed will run back to their original position - quite literally forcing the observer to run around in circles after them. They are extremely reluctant to take flight when feeding, and if they are forced to do so they quickly return to resume feeding. They are found throughout the Amazonian region.