Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cherubina Emperor
Doxocopa laurentia
cherubina
FELDER & FELDER,
1867
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
APATURINAE
Tribe - APATURINI
Doxocopa laurentia cherubina, 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.
Males of many species have a broad white
central band on the upperside, which is overlaid with dazzling blue, purple or turquoise
according to species. In most species the hue varies considerably depending on
the angle at which sunlight reflects off the wings - e.g. the band on
laurentia appears as turquoise when viewed from
directly above, but deep silvery blue when viewed from the side.
There is some disagreement between taxonomists as to whether cherubina
is a full species or a subspecies of
laurentia,
a situation not helped by the fact that several possibly different taxa have
overlapping ranges of distribution.
Doxocopa laurentia
cherubina
is one of the largest and most beautiful members of the group, and is found over
much of the Amazonian and Andean region.
Doxocopa laurentia cherubina, male,
Satipo, Peru.
Habitats
This is a mid-elevation taxon, found in pre-montane cloudforests between about
300-1600 metres above sea level. In Peru it is confined to the eastern slopes of
the Andes.
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 very territorial.
They perch on high foliage but periodically swoop down with
great speed and agility to investigate rotting fruit on the ground.
They also visit sources of mineralised moisture including damp
boulders, urine-soaked ground, or the edges of small streams where
they ford dirt roads.
They are solitary and nervous, but after a few minutes will usually accept
human presence.
Sightings of
females are very rare, as they spend their time high in the forest
canopy.
Doxocopa laurentia cherubina, male,
Rio Shima, Satipo, Peru.
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