The Dark Archduke is primarily found in tropical forests, but they often fly through or along clearings, especially when looking for nectar plants.
   It prefers evergreen, moist deciduous forests and human habitats.
   In males the ventral sides of the wings are mainly velvety black, with metallic blue green on the margins, while in the females the ventral sides of the wings are mainly brownish, covered by several rows of yellow white spots.
   The males and females of both species cannot be distinguished when in flight. The species, like its lookalike, exhibits sexual dimorphism where the female is dark brown with yellow spots on both wings whiles the males are black with greenish blue wing margins.
   Because the female Dark Archduke is primarily brown with yellow spots it blends in very well with the forest surroundings.
   The male Dark Archduke on the other hand has a very bright blue green band along its hind wing which it uses to attract the attention of females when it is competing for a mate.
   Males patrol their territory trying to ward off intruding males while at the same time attracting the attention of receptive females.
   After mating, the female lays her eggs on the host plant.
   The ornate larvae then feed on their host plant until they form their chrysalis.
   * The Archduke is a powerful flyer and is difficult to capture on the wing