Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Silver Emperor
Doxocopa laure (Drury, 1773)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Apaturinae
Identification: Upperside of male is dark brown with some blue iridescence; median band is white on hindwing and mostly orange on forewing. Female upperside is dark brown without iridescence; 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.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 1/4 inches (7 - 8.2 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on new growth of the host plant. Caterpillars make resting perches on top of leaves.
Flight: July-December in South Texas; all year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Tree and shrub Celtis in the elm family (Ulmaceae).
Adult Food: Rotting fruit, dung, sap, carrion.
Habitat: Subtropical wooded areas and edges.
Range: In lowland tropics from Brazil north to northern Mexico. Strays occasionally to the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Conservation: Not required for a rare tropical stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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