Purple Emperor
by
Shop
Apatura iris
Scarce and localized in Woodlands of South Eastern England.
The Larvae (Caterpillars) are green with white and yellow markings, and have two large "horns" at the anterior end and a smaller one at the posterior.
The Larvae feeds on Goat Willow.
Adults have dark brown wings with white bands and spots, and a small orange ring on each of the hindwings.
Males have a wingspan of 70–80 millimetres (2.8–3.1 in), and have a purple-blue sheen caused by iridescence that the slightly larger (80–92 mm) Females lack.
Flight period is in July & August.