Few elements of British wildlife are surrounded by as much mystery as the Purple Emperor butterfly Apatura iris. Our fascination with this insect’s elusiveness and idiosyncrasies give it a unique place in natural history.
![](https://www.britishwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/1999/10/19.5-purple-emperor.jpg)
Few elements of British wildlife are surrounded by as much mystery as the Purple Emperor butterfly Apatura iris. Our fascination with this insect’s elusiveness and idiosyncrasies give it a unique place in natural history.