Species Account for Apatura iris
Apatura iris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Purple Emperor
Lepidoptera: butterflies: Nymphalidae
Reproduction for study and non-profit use permitted, all other rights reserved.
Click on dot to query records
W&C Act: Schedule 5
Essex RDB: Appendix
Additional Phenology Data
Images
upload a new image
Taxonomic group: butterflies (Lepidoptera: butterflies) - Part county data
Purple Emperor on UK Butterflies website
Essex Red Data List comment
Appendix. Purple Emperor. Notable/Nb. Extinct as a breeding species since before the First World War but very rare vagrants. Natural recolonisation from Hertfordshire now possible (D. Corke, pers. comm.).
Species text
A large, woodland butterfly of central Southern England whose larvae feed mainly on Sallow (salix caprea). This butterfly spends much of its time high in the canopy and can be extremely difficult to find.
A reintroduction programme under the Essex BAP has been undertaken during the 2000s adjacent to the Marks Hall Estate, near Coggeshall. There is currently (2011) a breeding population at this location. Evidence from Hertfordshire suggests that the presence of this elusive insect can never be completely discounted in suitable woodland. (Butterfly Conservation) References
Habitats
Why not join the Club, register and add a new species page
Interpretation of distribution maps