Doxocopa cyane

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

Subspecies

include:Doxocopa cyane burmeisteri Doxocopa cyane cyane Doxocopa cyane mexicana Bryk, 1953 Doxocopa cyane vespertina Lamas, 1999

Distribution

This species is present in Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.

Habitat

These butterflies inhabit cloudforest at elevations between about above sea level.

Description

Doxocopa cyane has a wingspan of about. 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.

Biology

Larvae feed on Celtis spinosa. 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.