www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Just back from Fermyn Wood.
Very first butterfly was this Female Purple Emperor.
But My book says about the female "completly lacks the purple colour"
So, What is it?
Cheers
Pete

It's a male

The purple sheen is only seen at certain angles to the light.

Cheers,

- Pete

The only time you would have a real half purple one would be with a halved gynandromorph, there are a few photos on here in the Silver Washed Fritillary, where either the left or right side is Female, the other half male.

In a purple emperor the wing shape would give this away as the wings are different sizes and shape and dont match when closed.

In almost all cases its the light as mentioned above.

The half male half female SWF picture taken by Greenie

Ah ha, Thanks for clearing that up.
It's was my first ever Purple emperor.
Lovely sight.
Cheers
Pete