Turquoise emperor facts for kids
Doxocopa laurentia, also known as the turquoise emperor or Cherubina emperor, is a beautiful type of butterfly. It belongs to the Nymphalidae family, which is a very large group of butterflies often called brush-footed butterflies. This particular butterfly is part of the Apaturinae subfamily.
Quick facts for kids Turquoise emperor |
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What Does the Turquoise Emperor Look Like?
The Doxocopa laurentia butterfly is quite large. Its wingspan can reach about 75 millimeters (about 3 inches).
Wing Colors and Patterns
The top side of the wings is mostly brown. Male butterflies have a wide, shiny blue band across the middle of their wings. Female butterflies usually have a white band instead of blue. They also have a large orange patch on the top part of their front wings.
The underside of the wings is yellowish or grayish. You can see black markings on the front wings.
Special Features
Like other butterflies in its group, the Doxocopa laurentia has a special mouthpart called a proboscis. This proboscis is green. Butterflies use their proboscis like a straw to drink nectar from flowers.
Where Does the Turquoise Emperor Live?
This butterfly species can be found in several countries. It lives in Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina.
Different Types of Turquoise Emperors
Scientists have found different types, or subspecies, of Doxocopa laurentia. These subspecies are slightly different from each other.
- Doxocopa laurentia laurentia: This type is found in Brazil and Argentina.
- Doxocopa laurentia cherubina (C. & R. Felder, 1867): This type lives in Central America, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru.
- Doxocopa laurentia thalysia (Fruhstorfer, 1907): This type is found in Ecuador.
Images for kids
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D. laurentia laurentia male with green proboscis
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Doxocopa laurentia cherubina from Peru - mounted specimen
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Doxocopa laurentia from Brazil - ventral view
See also
In Spanish: Doxocopa laurentia para niños
