Image 16 of 629
157469
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Purple Emperor - Apatura iris. Wingspan 65mm. An impressive and iconic butterfly of broadleaved woodlands with tall oaks and mature Goat Willows (the larval foodplant). Adult has brown upperwings marked with a white band; the male has the purple sheen, only seen at certain angles. Underwings of both sexes are chestnut with a white band. Flies July-August. Larva is green with diagnostic ‘horns’ at head end. Rare and local, restricted to a few good woodlands in southern England.
- Copyright
- PAUL STERRY/Nature Photographers Ltd
- Image Size
- 3543x2172 / 1.3MB
- www.naturephotographers.co.uk

