#doxocopa

Silver Emperor (male) - Doxocopa laure

This striking butterfly is a male of the commonly referred to as Silver Emperor, scientifically named Doxocopa laure (Nymphalidae). It is a neotropical species ranging from Texas and Arizona, in the United States, to Brazil.

Upperside of male is dark brown with a magnificent purple sheen, and a median band in white on hindwing and mostly orange on forewing. Female upperside is dark brown without the purple sheen, and the median band is white on both wings and ends with a yellow spot at the leading edge of the forewing. Underside of hindwing of both sexes is grayish with a silvery iridescence.

Doxocopa laure is the largest member of the genus, reaching a wingspan up to 8.2 cm. The deep purple sheen is the result of sunlight refracting from microscopic prismatic ridges on the surface of the scales. It can only be seen when the butterfly is viewed at certain angles, and is more intense in bright sunlight.

References: [1] - [2]

Agathina Emperor - Doxocopa agathina | ©Rodrigo Conte   (Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil)

Doxocopa agathina (Nymphalidae), commonly named Agathina Emperor, is medium sized butterfly widespread in South America, from Colombia to Paraguay.