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Butterflies of
the Amazon rainforest
Lavinia Emperor
Doxocopa lavinia
BUTLER, 1866
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
APATURINAE
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Doxocopa lavinia,
male, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
Males of this very
conspicuous species are marked on the upperside with a median band of white
scales, each of which has a ridged surface which reflects and refracts light in
brilliant iridescent hues of blue, green and violet. The brilliance of the
colours, when the butterfly is seen in full sunlight, almost defies description.
The species has several geographical forms, which vary considerably in the
intensity and extent of these markings.
The females lack the
iridescence, with the median band being white and orange, similar in appearance
to Adelpha
species but can easily be distinguished from them by virtue of the much more
angular wings.
There are 15 Doxocopa
species, all confined to the neotropics. They can be roughly and
unscientifically divided into 2 groups - the lavinia
group, all sexually dimorphic, closely resembling the current species, with Adelpha-like
females; and the
felderi
group, which are also sexually dimorphic, but with the males predominantly deep purple,
while the females on the upperside strongly resemble Perisama,
having turquoise diagonal bands on the forewing, and similarly coloured
submarginal bands on the hindwing.
Habitats
The butterfly breeds in rainforest habitats at altitudes from sea level to about
1600m.
Lifecycle
The caterpillar feeds on
Celtis
species ( Ulmaceae ). When fully grown it has the features typical of most Apaturines, being green, strongly tapered towards the anal segment, and with the
head possessing a pair of projecting horns.
The
pupa 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 strongly territorial,
perching on high foliage, and periodically swooping down with
great speed and agility to investigate rotting fruit, dung or
carrion on the ground.
They are solitary and of
nervous disposition, but after a few minutes will usually accept
human presence. They are most often seen when visiting wet muddy
patches, or the edges of small streams where they ford dirt roads.
Sightings of
females are very rare, as they spend their time high in the forest
canopy.
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