The eyespots are yellow ringed with black and contain a smaller blue spot lined with black and a black line dorsad of the blue spot. The pupa is tan with a dark brown or black lateral stripe and a brown dorsal band. There are two flights in the northern part of the range and three to possibly four flights in Florida. The first flight in Florida begins in late February or early March. Males often patrol at treetop level and swoop to lower levels to intercept females for mating.
Adults seek nectar at a variety of flowers and sip water and minerals from mud.
Eggs are laid singly and usually on the upper surface of leaves. A variety of hosts are utilized in the northern part of the range. Sweet bay grows in wet areas and may be distinguished from similar species by the glaucus undersides of the leaves and the stipular scar that completely surrounds the twig. Black cherry, Prunus serotina Ehrh. The larva rests on the mat of silk.