Pavon Emperor
Doxocopa pavon (Latreille, [1809])
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Apaturinae
Identification: Upperside of male is iridescent blue-purple; female is paler. Both sexes have a small orange patch near the tip of the forewing and a white median band across both wings. Underside of both is paler and does not have silvery iridescence.
Wing Span: 2 3/16 - 2 11/16 inches (5.6 - 6.9 cm).
Life History: Males perch in full sun on trees to watch for females.
Flight: In South Texas
Caterpillar Hosts: Tree and shrub Celtis in the elm family (Ulmaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar, rotting fruit, and bird droppings.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests.
Range: Bolivia north to northern Mexico. Strays occasionally to the lower Rio Grande Valley, 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
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 04, 2008
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Mexico, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: May 03, 2013
Observation date: Oct 06, 2010
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Veracruz-Llave, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 11, 2013
Observation date: Dec 02, 2010
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: paulopler
Verified date: Nov 11, 2011
Observation date: Nov 08, 2008
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Martin Redi)
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Martin Reid)
Verified date: Jan 07, 2010
Observation date: Oct 14, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Nov 21, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004