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Purple Emperor Butterfly

Apatura Iris

Last updated: January 3, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

Inhabits deciduous forests!

Continue Reading after the facts...

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  5. Purple Emperor Butterfly

Purple Emperor Butterfly Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
Genus
Apatura
Scientific Name
Apatura Iris

Purple Emperor Butterfly Conservation Status

  • Near Threatened

Purple Emperor Butterfly Locations

  • Asia
  • Eurasia
  • Europe
Purple Emperor Butterfly Locations

Purple Emperor Butterfly Facts

Main Prey
Larvae, Sap, Dung
Distinctive Feature
Long, curled tongue and brightly coloured wings
Habitat
Deciduous woodland
Predators
Bats, Frogs, Birds
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
100
Favorite Food
Larvae
Common Name
Purple Emperor
Number Of Species
1
Location
Britain and Europe
Slogan
Inhabits deciduous forests!

Purple Emperor Butterfly Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Brown
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Orange
  • Purple
Skin Type
Hair
Length
6.2cm - 7.4cm (2.4in - 2.9in)

Purple Emperor Butterfly Images

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View all of the Purple Emperor Butterfly images!

The purple emperor is a distinctive species of butterfly, found in woodlands across Europe. The purple emperor is most well known for the bright blue-purple markings of the wings of the male purple emperor butterflies.

The purple emperor is most commonly found throughout central Europe and in the warmer, southern regions of the United Kingdom. The purple emperor is found inhabiting ancient forests and deciduous woodlands where the adult purple emperors spend most of their lives hidden high up in the trees.

Despite the name, it is only the male purple emperor butterflies that are actually of a purple looking colour. The females purple emperors are much duller in appearance with a generally brown wingspan, a few white markings and a small orange circle on each of its hind wings (the males are very similar only with the added purple sheen).

Female purple emperors spend most of their lives in the tree canopy coming down only to lay their eggs. Male purple emperor butterflies also spend much of their time in the tree tops, defending their territory from rivals, though they will sometimes descend in order to drink from puddles or feed.

Unlike most butterflies, the purple emperor does not feed from flowers but instead on the honeydew secreted by aphids and on dung, urine and animal carcasses, as well as the sap from oak trees.

Eggs are laid by the female purple emperors in late summer on the upper side of leaves, which the purple emperor caterpillars hatch out of. The purple emperor caterpillars are green with white and yellow markings and have two large horns, and soon undergo the incredible transformation from young to caterpillar to adult butterfly.

Today, purple emperor butterflies are threatened in their natural habitats from factors including chemical and noise pollution and even complete habitat destruction in the form of deforestation.

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Purple Emperor Butterfly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Purple Emperor Butterflies herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Purple Emperor Butterflies are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to?

Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum to Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to?

Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to the phylum Arthropoda.

What family do Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to?

Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to the family Nymphalidae.

What order do Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to?

Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera.

What genus do Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to?

Purple Emperor Butterflies belong to the genus Apatura.

Where do Purple Emperor Butterflies live?

Purple Emperor Butterflies live in Britain and Europe.

In what type of habitat do Purple Emperor Butterflies live?

Purple Emperor Butterflies live in deciduous woodlands.

What do Purple Emperor Butterflies eat?

Purple Emperor Butterflies eat larvae, sap, and dung.

What are some predators of Purple Emperor Butterflies?

Predators of Purple Emperor Butterflies include bats, frogs, and birds.

What are some distinguishing features of Purple Emperor Butterflies?

Purple Emperor Butterflies have long, curled tongues and brightly colored wings.

How many babies do Purple Emperor Butterflies have?

The average number of babies a Purple Emperor Butterfly has is 100.

What is an interesting fact about Purple Emperor Butterflies?

Purple Emperor Butterflies inhabit deciduous forests!

What is the scientific name for the Purple Emperor Butterfly?

The scientific name for the Purple Emperor Butterfly is Apatura Iris.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

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