Outside its resident range, it is particularly attracted to potato fields and, in suburbs, to flower-beds and hedges overgrown with Convolvulus . Adults rest during the day on any solid surface, especially tree-trunks, fences, telegraph poles or bare earth. With wings folded roof-like over the body, they resemble a piece of weathered grey wood and are hence difficult to detect. Sometimes pairs can be found in such locations, but most, having paired towards midnight, part before dawn. While on the wing between dusk and midnight, neither rain nor wind seem to deter this species.
Light is also very attractive, most individuals arriving about two hours after dark.
Farther north, migrants start arriving from June to August, producing an autumn generation during August and September, individuals of which are considerably larger in size than African specimens. Bright, glossy blue-green when laid, changing to yellowish green. Most are deposited singly on the upper and underside of the leaves of the hostplant, often in large numbers over a wide area. Each female can oviposit up to 200 eggs which hatch within 10 to 15 days, partially collapsing before doing so. Initially glaucous with a straight black-tipped horn, it gradually acquires a light green coloration through feeding.