Page 188 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
TRIBUTION
DIS
DISTRIBUTION From southern England and western France east across Europe
DISTRIBUTION
and temperate Asia to China, Japan, and Korea
HABIT A T Deciduous, broad-leaved woodlands
HABITAT
HABITAT
HOST PLANTS
T PLANT
HOST PLANTS S Willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.)
HOS
NOTE
NO TE Cryptic, sluglike caterpillar that has a pair of threatening horns
NOTE
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but vulnerable in some countries,
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
including England
ADULT WINGSPAN
2¾–3½ in (70–90 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1¾–2⅛ in (45–55 mm)
APATURA IRIS
PURPLE EMPEROR
186
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Purple Emperor caterpillars hatch from green eggs laid singly
in late summer on the upper surfaces of host tree leaves.

First instars lie perfectly camouflaged along the upper midrib
of leaves and feed nocturnally. After reaching the second
or third instar, the caterpillars enter hibernation resting on a
silk pad spun on the upper surface of a withered leaf or twig,
turning brown to blend in with their surroundings during the
winter. Feeding resumes in spring, and the large, plump, green
caterpillars pupate in June. The pupa, suspended from a leaf,
is perfectly camouflaged, and the adult emerges after two weeks.

The Purple Emperor is an iconic butterfly, especially in England,
where its relatively few well-known breeding sites often become
tourist attractions, with people craning their necks to spot the
emperors flying in the treetops. Apatura iris is single-brooded,

with adults on the wing in July and August. The caterpillars can
be found from August to June.

Actual size
The Purple Emperor caterpillar is bright
green, speckled with tiny, yellow dots. There
are diagonal yellow lines laterally and a pair
of long, green-and-white anterior horns tipped
in red. The head is brown and white.