Purple Emperor
Apatura iris
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apatura_iris
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
Genus
Apatura
Purple Emperor belongs to the family Nymphalidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Purple Emperor faces severe population declines across its range due to widespread habitat loss and fragmentation of mature deciduous woodlands. Climate change is altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, while pollution and human disturbance in remaining forest fragments continue to degrade habitat quality.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mature deciduous and mixed woodlands with abundant sallow trees (Salix species), particularly goat willow, in woodland clearings, rides, and edges. Requires large forest areas with a mosaic of canopy cover and open spaces, typically in lowland regions with established tree populations.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Purple Emperor faces severe population declines across its range due to widespread habitat loss and fragmentation of mature deciduous woodlands. Climate change is altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, while pollution and human disturbance in remaining forest fragments continue to degrade habitat quality.
Climate change affecting host plant distribution and butterfly phenology
Habitat loss and fragmentation of mature deciduous forests
Loss of sallow trees (Salix species) essential for larval development
Human disturbance and recreational pressure in remaining habitats
Pollution and chemical contamination in woodland environments
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Purple Emperor (Apatura iris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/purple-emperor