Volume 10, Plate XXI / Entomology (Insects)

Purple Emperor

Apatura Iris

Dark brown changing in certain lights to a rich purplish-blue not seen in the duller female, its wings bear white spots and an oblique white band, with a russet-ringed black eye on the hind pair. Its green, horned caterpillar feeds on sallow and oak; prized for its beauty and difficulty, it flies with great velocity and thrones upon the summits of lofty oaks.