Doxocopa cyane, the Mexican emperor or cyan emperor, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.[1]
Subspecies include:[2]
This species is present in Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.[3]
These butterflies inhabit cloudforest at elevations between about 600–1,800 metres (2,000–5,900 ft) above sea level.[4]
Doxocopa cyane has a wingspan of about 55 millimetres (2.2 in).[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]
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]
Doxocopa cyane, the Mexican emperor or cyan emperor, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
