Roosts in caves, clinging to walls in areas of twilight closer to the entrance, sometimes with other species such as Mosia nigrescens. It forages for insects in dense forest, along streams and open areas around forest (Bonaccorso 1998). Their echolocation call is distinctive but very similar to that of Mosia nigrescens. Pulse shape resembles that of Hipposideros, but the strongest second harmonic has a characteristic frequency of c. 60–70 kHz (K.N. Armstrong, unpublished data).

Distributed in Indonesia (Kai Islands, Yapen Island, Biak Island, and Papua Province); and Papua New Guinea (in some parts of the highlands up to mid-level elevations, and the islands of New Ireland, Bougainville, Woodlark, Kiriwina, and Alcester) (Flannery 1995a,b; Bonaccorso 1998). It may be distributed wider than has been recorded in the past, but capture records are required for identification because its presence cannot be confirmed unambiguously from acoustic surveys. It has been recorded from sea level to 1,500 m asl. It is more common above 500 m on the New Guinea mainland.

Suitable conservation actions for this species are the protection of known roosting caves and identification of additional important roosting sites. Mt. Stolle (Papua New Guinea) is in line to be designated as a Wildlife Management Area, and the species has been recorded from this area (D. Wright pers. comm.).