Purple Emperor Apatura iris 5 larvae

Purple Emperor Apatura iris

This magnificent species has not been available for several years. This year we are expecting young larvae pre-hibernation. Booked orders will be supplied first.

The foodplant, Sallow Salix caprea  is best kept as a growing shrub, either potted or growing outside.  The young larvae should be kept in a sleeve where they will hibernate, but with some extra warmth, when it is still summer, some may be persuaded to feed up and produce butterflies this year. Orders will be supplied in date seqence.

Larvae are sent at pre-hibernation state, September/October. To hibernate, keep the larvae sleeved on Sallow, outside in all weathers, which they survive naturally in the wild.