The Purple Emperor is a strikingly beautiful butterfly and is only on the wing for a short period in late summer. A large butterfly of woodlands, it is well-known for spending much of its time in the treetops feeding on aphid honeydew, so a pair of binoculars is handy if you want so spot this dazzling insect. Males may be seen flying to the ground mid-morning to feed on salts and sugars in damp puddles, on animal droppings or road surfaces, or even on rotting carcases. The caterpillars feed on mainly on Goat Willow, although Crack-willow and Grey Willow are also used.
The male Purple Emperor is an unmistakeable glossy purple above, with white bands across all wings and orange-ringed eyespots under the forewings. The female is similar to the White Admiral in appearance, but also has orange-ringed eyespots under the forewings. Females are larger than males and both are larger than the more common White Admiral. Populations of the Purple Emperor steadily declined during the 20th century and is now restricted to larger woods in southern England. Purple Emperors can be found from June to August
This cache is a clip lock box. There is a marble for the First To Find. Please feel free to swap any item in the ‘cache but please remember, if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value in return.
Renumbered from 4 to 11 to create a more logical series around the forest.
First To Find honours go to: Mackiespal
N.B. All the caches in this series have been granted permission to be placed by Joanne Mason, the Beat Manager for the forest, and written permission has been passed to the Reviewers. The Forestry Commission will not give permission for any more caches in these woods. Please do not ask the Reviewers to place any further caches as the FC will not allow it and placement of further caches will result in geocaching being banned in this area.