Cyane Emperor

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

Subspecies: Subspecies include:

• 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.

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

 Doxocopa cyane has a wingspan of about 55 mm. 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.