Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Agathina Emperor
Doxocopa agathina CRAMER,
1777
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
APATURINAE
Doxocopa
agathina,
male, Ecuador © Tony Hoare
Introduction
Males of this medium
sized butterfly reflect a brilliant purple iridescence from the upperside wings, a
characteristic shared with it's European cousins the Purple Emperors Apatura iris, ilia
and metis. Females lack the
iridescence, and instead have a broad orange diagonal band across the forewings.
There is also an alternative form of the female in which the diagonal band is
white.
Habitats
The butterfly breeds in rainforest habitats at altitudes from sea level to about
1600m.
Lifecycle
The caterpillar feeds on
Celtis
species ( Ulmaceae ). When fully grown it is green, strongly tapered towards the anal segment, and
has a pair of forward-projecting horns on its head.
The
chrysalis is probably similar to that of other Apaturines, which are typically
flattened laterally, arched dorsally, and superbly camouflaged as living or dead
foliage.
Doxocopa
agathina,
male, Rio Pindayo, Peru
Adult behaviour
Males are often seen on sunny
forest tracks or along the beds of dry streams, imbibing mineral
rich moisture from rocks, or feeding at decaying fruit. They also
visit dung and carrion.
Females are much scarcer and rarely seen,
as they spend their time high in the forest canopy.
Doxocopa
agathina,
male, Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru
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