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Latin name: Apatura iris
Size: Wingspan approx 75mm.
Distribution: Found mainly in southern and central England and the borders of Wales
Months seen: Late June to early September.
Habitat: Woodlands
Food: Nectar. Will also sometimes feed on dung for salts and minerals.
Special features: The iridescent purple colouring is only seen on the male. The female has brown wings with brighter white patches. Both the
male and female purple emperor have eye-spot markings on the undersides of the wings.
Purple emperors are rarely seen on the ground except when feeding. They are best
spotted with binoculars as they flutter around the tops of oak trees.
The green caterpillars have pale yellow oblique stripes on their sides and two pale green horns on the head, giving
them a slug-like shape. They feed on sallow.
You can identify butterflies yourself with one of these superbly illustrated
charts
UK Safari Butterfly Section
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