English name:
Freyer’s Purple Emperor
Full scientific name:
Apatura metis (Freyer, 1829)
Croatian name:
Panonska preljevalica
Flight Period and Life Cycle
1-2 broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
More common in the mainland. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
The upper side of the wings is brown with large orange spots in the hindwing’s discal zone. At a certain angle of view, the light rays create a bluish reflection. The comparison with Apatura ilia and A. iris is here.
Behavior
It often absorbs juices on moist soil or feces.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Salicaceae.
Habitat
It is common at the edges of wet woodland and along the water streams of lowlands. Elevations: 0-400m.
Gallery
