Doxocopa cyane explained

Doxocopa cyane, the Mexican emperor or cyan emperor, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.^[1]

Subspecies

Subspecies include:^[2]

• Doxocopa cyane burmeisteri (Godman & Salvin, 1884) (Argentina)
• Doxocopa cyane cyane (Latreille, 1813) (Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia)
• Doxocopa cyane mexicana Bryk, 1953 (Mexico, Colombia)
• Doxocopa cyane vespertina Lamas, 1999 (Peru)

Distribution

This species is present in Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.^[3]

Habitat

These butterflies inhabit cloudforest at elevations between about 600- above sea level.^[4]

Description

Doxocopa cyane has a wingspan of about .^[5] The color of the wings varies by sex. Males show a brilliant electric-blue iridescence on the upperside of the wings, while the wings of the females lack this iridescence. Females have usually a brown ground color with wide longitudinal bands of orange and white on forewings and hindwings.^[4]

Biology

Larvae feed on Celtis spinosa.^{[3] [4]} Males are solitary and territorial. They usually visit wet muddy patches and feed on rotting fruits, dung or carrion. Females mainly inhabit the forest canopy.^[4]

External links

• Butterflies of America
• Butterflies and Moths
• Frederick D. Godman et al. Lepidoptera-Rhopalocera. Vol. I (1879-1901)

Notes and References

1. http://www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2011/search/all/key/doxocopa+cyane/match/1 Catalogue of Life
2. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id1124364/ Biolib
3. http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/apaturinae/doxocopa/ "Doxocopa Hübner, [1819]"] at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
4. http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Doxocopa%20cyane.htm Learn about butterflies
5. Jean-Claude Petit Inventory of the Butterfly Species of Sangay National Park - Ecuador