Purple Emperor: Your pictures of the butterfly that feeds on rotting flesh
- Published
It might be one of the most elusive butterflies in Britain, but enthusiasts Rupert Perkins and his daughter Phoebe are a few of the lucky ones who have spotted and snapped the rare Purple Emperor butterfly. This photo was taken by them in Fermyn Wood, Northamptonshire, in 2014.
Normally the butterflies are attracted to rotting flesh, animal faeces, mud and sweat. So when Rupert and Phoebe arrived at the wood at 7am to catch a glimpse of the rare beauty, they were not expecting one to take a liking to their lunch. Thankfully it meant that they were then able to watch this Purple Emperor for 20 minutes.
People have been known to try all sorts of different tricks to lure the butterflies down from their tree top hide-outs, including throwing mud into the air and floating purple helium balloons into the canopy. Photo: Phoebe Perkins.
Phillip Lowe took this image of a female Purple Emperor at Whiteley Pastures, Fareham, in July 2009. The butterflies live for only a few days or weeks in July and August, and rarely come down to ground level to feed.
This photo, also of a ground-feeding female, at the Pastures, was taken by Phillip in July 2011. While females have a chocolate-brown display on the dosal side of their wings, it is the males who boast the purple iridescence.
Philip has also spotted a Purple Emperor this year in Knepp Safaris in Horsham, West Sussex.
The butterfly, one of the largest in the UK, is confined to central and southern England woodland. This photo was also taken by Phillip Lowe at Knepp Safaris in July 2015. If you spot the Purple Emperor and are happy to share your photos please send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
- Published23 July 2015
