Doxocopa laure

(Drury, 1773)

Silver Emperor

Doxocopa laure, commonly known as the silver emperor, is a in the Nymphalidae. Males display striking with orange forewings and blue iridescence, while females are more subdued in coloration. The species is notable for the silver iridescence on the underside of the hindwing that gives it its . It occurs across a broad geographic range from the southern United States through Mexico to Brazil, with multiple described reflecting this wide distribution.

NW119-1 Doxocopa laure (3430252452) by NSG group from Lund, Sweden. Used under a CC0 license.

Doxocopa laure ssp. laure by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Silver emperor (Doxocopa laure) male by Anne Toal. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Doxocopa laure: //ˌdɒksəˈkoʊpə ˈlaʊreɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from by the combination of silver iridescence on the hindwing underside and the orange forewing patch in males. The white band pattern in females helps separate it from similar Doxocopa . The wingspan of ~82 mm and the specific pattern of iridescence are diagnostic features.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan approximately 82 mm. Upperside dark brown with slight blue iridescence in males, lacking iridescence in females. Males have orange forewings; females have white bands on both wings ending in a yellow spot at the hindwing leading edge. Both sexes have greyish hindwing undersides with distinctive silver iridescence.

Distribution

Year-round resident in Brazil and Mexico. Seasonally present in southern North America (Texas) during July–December. distributed across Jamaica, Cuba, Upper Amazon/Peru, Colombia, Trinidad, and Rio de Janeiro region of Brazil.

Seasonality

Active year-round in tropical portions of range (Brazil, Mexico). Seasonal appearance in Texas and southern North America from July through December.

Similar Taxa

Other Doxocopa speciesSimilar size and general Nymphalidae ; distinguished by specific patterns of iridescence and coloration on wings, particularly the silver underside of hindwing in D. laure

More Details

Subspecies

Seven recognized: D. l. laure (Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala), D. l. laura (Jamaica), D. l. druryi (Cuba), D. l. griseldis (Upper Amazon, Peru), D. l. laurona (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro), D. l. mima (Colombia, Trinidad)