ExploreInsects

Lesser Purple Emperor

Apatura ilia

The Lesser Purple Emperor is a beautiful butterfly with purple and brown wings. It loves to flutter around in sunny spots and can be seen resting on tree trunks.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Lesser Purple Emperor is a medium-sized butterfly with dark brown to black wings featuring prominent white bands and spots. Males boast an iridescent purple sheen on their forewings, which appears and disappears with changing light angles, making them distinct from similarly marked species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusApatura
Lesser Purple Emperor
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Lesser Purple Emperor

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Instead of flowers, these butterflies love to drink sweet juices from tree wounds.

Male butterflies sometimes land on people to sip salts from their sweaty skin!

The chrysalis (pupa) of this butterfly looks like a beautiful green jewel hanging from a leaf.

Their caterpillars look like tiny green aliens with two little horns on their heads!

Special abilities

Ability

Shifting Camouflage

Lesser Purple Emperor has a magical purple shimmer that helps them vanish into dappled sunlight or blend with tree bark when they tilt their wings.

Ability

Sap Sipper

Lesser Purple Emperor can slurp up sugary tree sap and rotting fruit using their long proboscis, finding energy where other butterflies can't.

Ability

Territorial Guardian

Lesser Purple Emperor can fiercely defend its favorite perching spots high in the trees, bravely chasing away rival butterflies and even birds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
45-60 mm
Size
20-30 mm
Lifespan
15-20 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults prefer tree sap and rotting fruit, while caterpillars munch on tree leaves.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on the leaves of willow and poplar trees, whereas adults primarily consume tree sap, rotting fruit, and honeydew, rarely visiting flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Tree sap
  • Rotting fruit
  • Honeydew
  • Willow leaves
  • Poplar leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Goat Willow

Salix caprea

Larvae feed on its leaves

shelters

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Adults often perch on its branches

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Bird predators prey on adults

eats

Aspen

Populus tremula

Caterpillars feed on its leaves

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lesser Purple Emperor's wingspan?

45-60 mm

How big is Lesser Purple Emperor?

20-30 mm

How long does Lesser Purple Emperor live?

15-20 days

How fast can Lesser Purple Emperor fly?

15 km/h

What does Lesser Purple Emperor eat?

Adults prefer tree sap and rotting fruit, while caterpillars munch on tree leaves.

Where is Lesser Purple Emperor usually found?

Forests

How does Lesser Purple Emperor hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Lesser Purple Emperor have?

6

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