Head to head
Purple Emperor vs Peacock Butterfly
Purple Emperor
VS Peacock Butterfly
The purple emperor and peacock butterfly are two striking European butterflies, one a rarely seen creature of the oak canopy and the other a common garden visitor.
| Purple Emperor | Peacock Butterfly | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Apatura iris | Aglais io |
| Colour | Males show an iridescent purple-blue sheen that appears only when the light hits the wings at the right angle | A large eyespot on each wing, with dark, bark-like undersides |
| Habitat | Mature broadleaved woodland, especially oak, spending much of its time in the canopy | Gardens, hedgerows, woodland edges, and meadows |
| Adult food | Tree sap, aphid honeydew, and sometimes mud, dung, or carrion | Nectar from flowers such as buddleia and thistles |
| Visibility | Notoriously elusive, because it spends most of its time in the treetops | A familiar garden butterfly |
| Caterpillars | Feed on the leaves of sallow, or goat willow | Feed together in groups on stinging nettle |
| Winter | Spends the winter as a small caterpillar tucked into a crevice in a sallow tree | Hibernates as an adult in hollow trees, sheds, and woodpiles |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, widespread but thinly spread | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Purple Emperor vs Peacock Butterfly: common questions
Why is the purple emperor so hard to see?
It spends most of its time high in the treetops of broadleaved woodland and rarely visits flowers.
Does the purple emperor drink nectar?
Rarely; as an adult it feeds on tree sap, aphid honeydew, and sometimes mud, dung, or carrion.
How do they spend the winter?
The purple emperor spends it as a small caterpillar in a sallow tree, while the peacock butterfly hibernates as an adult.