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Doxocopa pavon

(Pavon Emperor)

Overview

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Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Pavon Emperor

Description

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Family Nymphalidae

'The Nymphalidae are members of the Superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies. Distributed worldwide, butterflies of this family are especially rich in the tropics. They are highly variable, and there are more species in this family than in any other. Adults vary in size from small to large, and their front legs are reduced, unable to be used for walking. Wing shape is also highly variable: some species have irregular margins (anglewings and commas), and others have long taillike projections (daggerwings). Browns, oranges, yellows, and blacks are frequent colors, while iridescent colors such as purples and blues are rare. Adults of some groups are the longest-lived butterflies, surviving 6-11 months. Adult feeding behavior depends on the species, where some groups primarily seek flower nectar while others only feed on sap flows , rotting fruit, dung, or animal carcasses. Males exhibit perching and patrolling behaviors when seeking mates. Egg-laying varies widely, as some species lay eggs in clustsers, others in columns, and others singly. Caterpillar appearance and behavior vary widely. Brushfoots overwinter as larvae or adults.

'[1]

Subfamily Apaturinae

Emperors are members of the Family Nymphalidae. Found worldwide, they are a closely related group. Adults are brightly colored and stout-bodied. They are most closely related to the Charaxinae and Satyrinae subfamilies, as evidenced by their early developmental stages. In North America, they are limited to the genus Asterocampa.[2]

Physical Description

Species Doxocopa pavon

Upperside of male is iridescent blue-purple; female is paler. Both sexes have a small orange patch near the tip of the forewing and a white median band across both wings . Underside of both is paler and does not have silvery iridescence. (ref. 106033)

Color:

Upperside of male is iridescent blue-purple; female is paler. Both sexes have a small orange patch near the tip of the forewing and a white median band across both wings . Underside of both is paler and does not have silvery iridescence.

Size/Age/Growth

Wing span : 2 3/16 - 2 11/16 inches (5.6 - 6.9 cm).

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical forests .

Biology

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Diet

Caterpillar hosts: Tree and shrub Celtis in the elm family (Ulmaceae). Adult food: Flower nectar, rotting fruit, and bird droppings.

Behavior

Males perch in full sun on trees to watch for females.

Taxonomy

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Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Doxocopa

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 12 species and subspecies in this genus:

D. agathina (Agathina Emperor) · D. callianira (Guatemalan Emperor) · D. cyane (Cyane Emperor) · D. griseldis (Griseldis Emperor) · D. kallina (Kallina Emperor) · D. laure (Silver Emperor) · D. laurentia (Turquoise Emperor) · D. lavinia (Lavinia's Emperor) · D. linda (Linda's Emperor) · D. pavon (Pavon Emperor) · D. selina (Selina Emperor) · D. zunilda (Zunilda Emperor)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 18, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=18&sci=Nymphalidae&com=Brush-footed Butterflies [back]
  2. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Antonia&search=Search [back]
Last Revised: 7/20/2012