Purple Emperor Butterfly

Purple Emperor - Apatura iris Apatura iris
 
Wingspan: 2.8 - 3.5" (7 - 9 cm)
Colour: Brown with white markings. Male shines purple.
Appearing: July - August
Family: Nymphalidae
Purple Emperor Butterfly
(Male)
   

The Purple Emperor is quite difficult to spot (and photograph) because it spends much of its time in the tree tops.

When it does come down, it is quite easy to identify, brown with white markings and two distinctive eye-spots on the upper side. When looking from certain angles, the male has a purple sheen which gives it its name.

Purple Emperor - Apatura iris
    Purple Emperor Butterfly
(Female)

« Back

 

Click on any of the photographs on this site to see a larger image.

Photo Galleries

SEE the Book

A Year in the Life of an English Country Garden
A photographic jou...
By Jenny Bailey
Book Preview
Photo book