Purple Emperor Butterfly on Goat Willow

The Purple Emperor declined steadily during the twentieth century and is now restricted to some of the larger woods in southern England. There has been a recent slight re-expansion in some areas.Restricted to large woods in southern England where they spend much of their time in the treetops. Females resemble the White Admiral, but have an orange-ringed eyespot under the forewing. Goat Willow (Salix caprea) is the most widely used foodplant although it breeds on Grey Willow (S.cinerea) and more rarely Crack- Willow (S. fragilis). Eggs are laid on a wide range of tree sizes, ranging from medium sized shrubs to tall canopy trees. Watercolour on Fabriano watercolour paper Painting size 4.75'' x 6.75'', Total size with white mount 8.25'' x 12'' Carefully packaged and dispatched within 12 hours of notice of sale