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More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Butterflies of Zihuatanejo
SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA
Silver Emperor - Male
Doxocopa laure
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Doxocopa laure, commonly known as the Silver Emperor, is a large and striking butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. This species occurs in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, inhabiting tropical forests, edges, and clearings. Males are often seen perching on tree trunks or branches, darting out to chase intruders before returning to the same spot—a territorial behaviour common in emperor butterflies. Rather than feeding mainly on flowers, Silver Emperors are attracted to sap flows, rotting fruit, and animal droppings, from which they obtain nutrients. The caterpillars feed on plants in families such as Fabaceae.

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