Doxocopa laure, the silver emperor, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

Doxocopa laure
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Doxocopa
Species:
D. laure
Binomial name
Doxocopa laure
(Drury, 1773)
Synonyms
  • Papilio laure Drury, [1773]
  • Apatura acca C. & R. Felder, [1867]
  • Catargyria laure mileta f. majugena Fruhstorfer, 1907
  • Doxocopa linda laurina Bryk, 1938
  • Catargyria laura Hübner, [1823]
  • Doxocopa laure fabricii Hall, 1935
  • Apatura griseldis C. & R. Felder, 1862
  • Chlorippe laurona Schaus, 1902
  • Chlorippe acca Boisduval, 1870
  • Catargyria laure mima Fruhstorfer, 1907
  • Chlorippi laure lauricola Kaye, 1925

Description

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Doxocopa laure has a wingspan reaching about 82 millimetres (3.2 in). The upperside of the wing is dark brown with a slight bluey iridescence, with a white central band on the hindwing, and an orange forewing on males. For females, the upperside is dark brown with no iridescence, with a white median band on both wings, ending with a yellow spot at the hindwing leading edge. On both sexes, the underside of the hindwing is greyish with a silver iridescence.

Distribution

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This species occurs year-round in Brazil and Mexico, and during July–December in southern North America areas, such as Texas.

Subspecies

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  • Doxocopa laure laure (Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala)
  • Doxocopa laure laura (Hübner, [1823]) (Jamaica)
  • Doxocopa laure druryi (Hübner, [1825]) (Cuba)
  • Doxocopa laure griseldis (C. & R. Felder, 1862) (Upper Amazon, Peru)
  • Doxocopa laure laurona (Schaus, 1902) (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro)
  • Doxocopa laure mima (Fruhstorfer, 1907) (Colombia, Trinidad)

References

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  • "Butterflies and Moths of North America: collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera". Retrieved January 30, 2012.