Doxocopa cyane

Doxocopa cyane, the Mexican emperor or cyan emperor, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

Subspecies
Subspecies include:
 * Doxocopa cyane burmeisteri (Godman & Salvin, 1884) (Argentina)
 * Doxocopa cyane cyane (Latreille, 1813) (Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia)
 * Doxocopa cyane mexicana Bryk, 1953 (Mexico, Colombia)
 * Doxocopa cyane vespertina Lamas, 1999 (Peru)



Distribution
This species is present in Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.

Habitat
These butterflies inhabit cloudforest at elevations between about 600 - 1800 m above sea level.

Description
Doxocopa cyane has a wingspan of about 55 mm. 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.

Biology
Larvae feed on Celtis spinosa. 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.