Purple emperor  (Apatura iris)

Species information

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Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

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Glossary

  • Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
  • Proboscis: a tubular protrusion from the anterior of an animal (e.g. the trunk of an elephant).
  • Pupa: stage in an insect's development when huge changes occur, which reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
  • Single-brooded: Also known as ‘univoltine’. Referring to an organism which has just one brood each year.

References

  1. Carter, D. (1992) Butterflies and Moths.Dorling Kindersley, London.
  2. Bourn, N.A.D. and Warren, M.S. (2000) Species Action Plan: Purple Emperor Apatura iris.Butterfly Conservation, Wareham. Available at: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/uploads/pe_action_plan.pdf
  3. Chinery, M. (1989) Collins New Generation Guide to the Butterflies and Day-flying Moths of Britain and Europe.William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd, London.
  4. Carter, D. and Hargreaves, B. (1986) A Field Guide to Caterpillars of Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.William Collins & Sons Ltd, London.
  5. Asher, J., Warren, M., Fox, R., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G. and Jeffcoate, S. (2001) The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland.Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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