Purple Emperor Butterflies are the second largest butterflies in England, after Swallowtail Butterflies. They are also quite scarce and can only be found in the south of England. They fly around very early in the mornings in woodlands and they like to fly fast and high up in trees.

The Purple Emperor Butterfly has four dark brown wings which vary in colour when they are seen in different lights and from different angles. Sometimes the wings look purple and sometimes they look blue. The forewings have white spots on them and the back wings have a white stripe running across each wing.

Purple Emperor Butterflies lay their eggs singly on the upper side of sallow leaves on broad-leaved willows. A light green caterpillar with a cream stripe along its body emerges from each egg. Each caterpillar looks a bit like a slug because it has two little horns sticking out of the front of its head. The caterpillar forms a chrysalis by spinning a silk case around itself. Inside the chrysalis the caterpillar transforms itself into a beautiful Purple Emperor Butterfly.