For a long time I’ve wanted to raise caterpillars of the Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) or the Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura Ilia). Before getting that chance there was one challenge thought: Finding eggs or caterpillars.
After spending quite some time on the quest I finally found what I was after a couple days ago. A hibernating caterpillar of the Purple Emperor on Goat Willow (Salix caprea). Here’s some images on the specimen, including a photo of the growth where the larva was found (see red marking).
Hibernating caterpillar of the Purple Emperor
Hibernating caterpillar of the Purple Emperor
Hibernating caterpillar of the Purple Emperor
Goat Willow hosting caterpillar of the Purple Emperor
