Europe
Purple Emperor
Scientific name Apatura iris
- Wingspan
- 65-75 mm
- Max age
- 2-4 weeks
- Rarity
- rare
About this butterfly
The Purple Emperor is a scarce, local butterfly of mature woodland. Males show an iridescent purple sheen on dark wings in the right light; females lack that purple flush. Adults live high in the canopy for much of the day. They feed mainly on honeydew, tree sap, dung, carrion and mineral-rich mud, and they do not typically visit flowers. The flight period is in early to mid summer. Territories are held along rides and around prominent trees. Goat Willow is the main larval host, with Grey Willow also used. Females descend to lay eggs on sallow leaves. Conservation depends on retaining sallow in woodland and along rides. A male on a forest track is memorable, but that sighting does not mean the species is vanishing continent-wide.