59.022 Apatura iris (Purple Emperor)
ws: 70-92mm; late Jun - mid-Aug; goat willow (Salix caprea); woodland on clay soil in central southern England.
Apatura iris (Purple Emperor) §1
ID: Somewhat similar to Limenitis camilla (White Admiral), which is smaller, has a rounded forewing termen and lacks the orange eye-spots near the hindwing dorsum. Only the male shows the purple iridescence that gives this species its English name and it is only visible when light catches the upperside at the right angle.
§1 Bookham Common, Surrey; 16/07/2013
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 07/04/2014 (§1)
