Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Immaculate Emperor
Doxocopa laure
griseldis
FELDER & FELDER,
1862
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
APATURINAE
Tribe - APATURINI
Doxocopa laure griseldis, male,
Satipo, Peru.
Introduction
The genus Doxocopa
comprises of 15 medium-large neotropical butterflies from the Apaturini
- the same tribe to which the Apatura
Purple Emperors of Europe belong.
Doxocopa laure
is the largest member of the genus. There
are 6 subspecies, of which griseldis is undoubtedly
the most beautiful, it's magnificent purple sheen perfectly complementing the
vivid orange band on the forewings, and the dazzling white band on the
hindwings.
The deep purple hue is the result of
sunlight refracting from microscopic prismatic ridges on the surface of the wing
scales. The photographs on this page all depict the
same specimen, but as can be seen, when viewed from above / behind
there is no trace of purple. The colour is only present in males, and
can only be seen when the butterfly is viewed from the front,
and in bright sunlight.
Doxocopa laure
occurs from Mexico to Peru, with subspecies
griseldis confined to the upper Amazon regions of
Peru and Brazil, and the foothills of the Peruvian Andes.
Doxocopa laure griseldis, male,
Satipo, Peru.
Habitats
This species is found in deciduous and evergreen forest at altitudes between 0-900m.
Doxocopa laure griseldis, male,
Satipo, Peru.
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.
Adult behaviour
Males are strongly attracted to
peccary wallows and other sources of mineral-rich moisture.
They are very nervous and alert, but sometimes
settle for a few moments on a boulder, log or tree trunk to bask
and feed, with wings fully outspread.
Sightings of
females are very rare, as they spend most of their time high in the forest
canopy.
Doxocopa laure griseldis, male,
Satipo, Peru.
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