Which Purple Emperor?

[Murph]

This is my one and only in focus photo of the only Purple Emperor I've seen. Taken in 2008 in the Foret de la Double in the Dordogne. I was looking at it a bit closer and it seems to have some similarity with Lesser PE. Can anyone confirm the identity? I'm sorry there's so little to go on. There's a definite tiny black spot on the near side of the hindwing which is only present on Lesser P E in Collins. Many thanks for any help. Paul.

[Padfield]

Yes, it's a lesser purple emperor.

Guy

[Murph]

Thanks for that Guy. It means I've got an excuse to have a look for it this summer in the UK. Know any likely places around the Evesham / Oxford area? Paul.

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi Paul,

Near Oxford you have Bernwood Forest (SP611118) - I saw my first ever PE there in 2009

Cheers

Lee

[Padfield]

Yes, Shabbington Wood has always been reliable. The last time I went back to Oxford, in 2006, I saw several males swooping around and one stopped for photos. That was at the end of June, and black hairstreaks were also in evidence.

Guy