The species occurs in evergreen and deciduous lowland tropical forest; it is strongly associated with multistratal tropical wet forest, but also occurs in dry areas; it tolerates second semi-deciduous formations, growth woodland, fruit groves, and man-made clearings (Handley 1976, Eisenberg 1989). Also present in urban areas and human-disturbed forests. It roosts exclusively in foliage; day roosts include both unmodified foliage and leaves modified into “leaf tents”. During certain times of the year this species forms “harems”, small groups containing one adult male and several adult females sometimes with their young. The bats remain together in these harems for weeks or months, and they may remain in the same or use different tents. It has been suggested that tents are male-defended resources (Kunz and McCracken 1996). It has a polygynous mating system. On Trinidad Island, pregnant females were recorded from January to August. Pregnant bats were recorded on August and September in Bolivia, and May, June, September and November in Peru. The bat’s prominently striped face may function as disruptive camouflage inside a tent with multiple leaflets (Eisenberg 1989). This is a understorey frugivore that forages in high cluttered spaces. They are strongly frugivorous but include insects in their diet (Goodwin and Greenhall 1961); also flower parts, and nectar may be taken. In Brazil, five species of three genera were reported as food items, Cecropia palmata (Urticaceae), Ficus maxima and other two unidentified species of Ficus (Moraceae), and Solanum grandiflorum (Solanaceae). In French Guiana, it consumed Cecropia obtusa (Urticaceae). Stomach contents of specimens from Trinidad Island contained remains of guava (Psidium guajava – Myrtaceae). During foraging, in the eastern Amazonia of Brazil, the bats carried the fruits to feeding roosts, or consumed them on the fruiting tree.

This species occurs in eastern South America, from Venezuela to Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil, and also Trinidad (Mantilla-Meluk 2014). It is found generally below 1,000 m elevation (Eisenberg 1989). This restricted definition exclude populations from northwestern South America (convexum) and Middle America (davisi) according to the most recent revision (Mantilla-Meluk 2014).

This species occurs in a number of protected areas through its very extensive distribution.