Purple Emperor
(Apatura Iris)
This particular butterfly, which flies around the highest branches of Oak trees, has attracted the attention of poets and tempted entomologists into lyrical description. The country poet, The Rev. George Crabbe, wrote 200 years ago; 'Above the sovereign oak, a sovereign skims, the Purple Emp'ror, strong in wing and limb'. In the 19th century, the entomologist Edward Newman compared the iridescent colours of the male butterfly, which glint in woodland glades, to 'robes of Tyrian purple'.
Larva (Caterpillar): After hatching, the tiny larva crawls
The young caterpillar hibernates beneath a bud or a forked twig
© Wolfgang Macho
The young caterpillar hibernates beneath a bud or a forked twig
The young caterpillar hibernates beneath a bud or a forked twig
© Wolfgang Macho
The young caterpillar hibernates beneath a bud or a forked twig
After hibernation, the green colouring gradually returns.
Taken on October 23, 2011 at Savernake
Taken on October 23, 2011 at Savernake
Taken on October 23, 2011 at Savernake
Taken on October 23, 2011 at Savernake
© Wolfgang Macho
Larva next to old shed skin
The larvae rest with the front half of the body raised slightly in the air. This reduces its shadow from below thus providing a better chance of escaping the notice of predators.
The larvae rest with the front half of the body raised slightly in the air. This reduces its shadow from below thus providing a better chance of escaping the notice of predators.
The larvae rest with the front half of the body raised slightly in the air. This reduces its shadow from below thus providing a better chance of escaping the notice of predators.
Pupa (Chrysalis):
![©Andrew Cooper [Reared]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6dead5_ec6108627f324c17aa95c188e7919921.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6dead5_ec6108627f324c17aa95c188e7919921.jpg)
Imago (Adult):
Suffolk, UK
Taken on July 3, 2011
Northamptonshire
Taken on July 3, 2011 in Northamptonshire
Taken on June 29, 2014
Taken on July 3, 2011
Northamptonshire
Taken on July 14, 2013 in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Taken on July 13, 2013 in Northamptonshire
Northants, Taken on July 3, 2011
Taken on July 20, 2013 in Corsley
July 24, 2012 - Southwater Woods
Taken on July 28, 2013 over oak trees at the Rothschild Bungalow, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Cambridgeshire
Taken on July 15, 2011 at Dean Park
![Purple Emperor - emergence - [Reared] © Dieter Seidenorf](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6dead5_cf04f2a5630c43b9827851a8dc9714e6.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_533,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/6dead5_cf04f2a5630c43b9827851a8dc9714e6.jpg)
![Purple Emperor - emergence - [Reared] © Dieter Seidenorf](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6dead5_2681736a9c2a40919082e548bfaa1a39.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_600,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/6dead5_2681736a9c2a40919082e548bfaa1a39.jpg)
![Purple Emperor - emergence - [Reared] © Dieter Seidenorf](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6dead5_ad329e188ae941fea41b381f0e0c3627.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_533,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/6dead5_ad329e188ae941fea41b381f0e0c3627.jpg)
Unclassified Aberrations:
Copulation:
Emergence:
© John Chapple
Ovum (Egg):
Videos:
The Purple Emperor was given its species name iris after the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology who talked to mankind through the rainbow.
In the 19th century, naturalists went to extraordinary lengths to coax the butterflies from the tree-tops. They placed the rotting bodies of animals on the ground to lure them down to suck the juices. They also used nets mounted on poles up to 30ft (9m) long to catch them.
Now the Purple Emperor is rarely seen. Loss of woodland, rather than the activities of collectors, has probably been the major reason for its decline. It now occurs only in parts of the New Forest and the Forest of Dean and is conserved on one Ministry of Defence site.