Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Pavon Emperor
Doxocopa pavon LATREILLE,
1809
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
APATURINAE
Doxocopa
pavon,
Satipo, Peru
Introduction
There are 15 Doxocopa
species. They can be
loosely divided into 2 groups : The lavinia
group have Adelpha-like
bands across the wings. In most species the wings of males reflect iridescent
turquoise or purple hues. Doxocopa pavon is smaller
than most other species in of the lavinia
group, and the underlying white bands of the males are suffused and
barely distinguishable. The females however have broad white bands across the wings, and lack the purple
sheen.
Doxocopa
pavon is found from Mexico to Paraguay and northern Argentina.
Habitats
The butterfly breeds in rainforest habitats at altitudes between about
200-1000m.
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 often seen on sunny
forest tracks, imbibing mineral
rich moisture from rocks, or feeding at carrion or fermenting
fallen fruit. Females are much scarcer and rarely seen,
as they spend most of their time high in the forest canopy. Both
sexes nectar at Croton and
Cordia.
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