Roosts in relatively shallow caves and overhangs, clinging to walls in areas of twilight closer to the entrance, typically in small colonies numbering 10–30 individuals. It occurs in tropical forests, foraging for insects in open spaces in and around the tree canopy (Flannery 1995a; Bonaccorso 1998; K.N. Armstrong unpublished data).
Their echolocation call is distinctive, with a pulse shape resembling that of Hipposideros, but the strongest second harmonic has a characteristic frequency of c. 45–50 kHz, which is slightly lower in mean characteristic frequency than calls from Emballonura furax (K.N. Armstrong, unpublished data).

Distributed in Indonesia (the islands of Halmahera, Ambon, Seram, Gebe, Yapen, Biak, Numfor, and Supiori; the Papua Province on the island of New Guinea), Papua New Guinea (Central, Chimbu, East Sepik, and Eastern Provinces, and the islands of New Ireland, Lihir, the Tabar islands, Bougainville, and Buka), and the Solomon Islands (the islands of Guadalcanal, Malaita, New Georgia, and Santa Isabel) (Flannery 1995a,b; Bonaccorso 1998). It is present in habitats that range from sea level to 1,600 m asl.

Effective protection and strategic management of known roost sites should be a priority for government land managers, ideally working with local authorities and communities. Given the potential that it is collected for food in parts of its range, liaison with local communities is required to achieve conservation outcomes. Broader-reaching policies that take steps to protect ever-dwindling natural forests will also help this species persist. In environmental impact assessments, the risk of developments to colonies that coincide with planned infrastructure footprints therefore need to be informed by the broader context of habitat available for the species. Further information is needed on colony sizes.