The adults feed on the juice of fermenting fruits. Bananas, pineapple, and mangoes are some of their favorites.
The Latin name may possibly refer to their active periods. Caligo means darkness.
This butterfly frequently rests near banana crops or other agricultural areas. It is common in lowland forests, but cannot survive in areas with lots of rainfall.
Adults and caterpillars are crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk. Females lay eggs in groups on leaves of hostplants. The caterpillars feed gregariously (in groups) on the hostplants until pupation.
In their range there are multiple generations making it possible to find adults year round.
Caligo females may have to mate more than once to fertilize all of their eggs.
