# Purple Emperor (*Apatura iris*) The Purple Emperor is a beautiful butterfly with stunning purple wings. It loves to flutter around in forests and is often seen resting on tree trunks. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Purple Emperor Butterfly ![Purple Emperor](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Apatura_iris_MHNT_CUT_2013_3_18_Compiegne.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apatura_iris_MHNT_CUT_2013_3_18_Compiegne.jpg) ## Appearance The Purple Emperor is a large, dark brown butterfly. Males display a dazzling iridescent purple sheen on their upper wings, visible only from certain angles, while females are larger and lack this strong violet shimmer. Both sexes feature a prominent white band across their wings and a distinct orange-ringed black eyespot on each hindwing. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Apatura ## Interesting facts - Male emperors often land on sunny patches of mud, dung, or even human sweat for minerals. - The pupa (cocoon) of the Purple Emperor perfectly mimics a dead, brown leaf for disguise. - Their caterpillars look like tiny green slugs with two little horns on their heads! - Unlike most butterflies, adults rarely visit flowers; they prefer sipping tree sap and other liquids. ## Special abilities - **Shimmering Camouflage:** Purple Emperor has iridescent wings that change color with the light, helping them blend into the forest canopy or signal other butterflies. - **Canopy King's Vantage:** Purple Emperor can soar high into the treetops, allowing them to survey their territory and spot rivals or mates from above. - **Scent Super-Seeker:** Purple Emperor can detect the scent of tree sap, animal droppings, and even carrion from afar, leading them to vital nutrients. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-70 mm - **Size:** 30-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults feast on tree sap and mineral-rich fluids, while their caterpillars munch on leaves from willow trees. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) are herbivores, solely feeding on the leaves of sallow and willow trees. Adults are omnivores. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, animal dung, carrion, mineral-rich soil/puddles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Goat Willow (*Salix caprea*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** Grey Sallow (*Salix cinerea*) — Main food source for caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Eats caterpillars and sometimes adults. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Preys on larvae and pupae. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Purple Emperor? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Purple Emperor's wingspan? 60-70 mm ### How big is Purple Emperor? 30-45 mm ### How long does Purple Emperor live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Purple Emperor fly? 10-20 km/h ### What does Purple Emperor eat? Adults feast on tree sap and mineral-rich fluids, while their caterpillars munch on leaves from willow trees. ### Where is Purple Emperor usually found? Forests ### How does Purple Emperor hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Purple Emperor: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/purple-emperor)