This magnificent butterfly has a wingspan of 55 to 70 mm. It flies high in the tree-tops of broadleaved woodland where it feeds on aphid honeydew and tree sap. Only occasionally it descends to the ground, where it probes for salts and minerals from moist ground or animal dung.
The female is a deep brown with an orange-ringed eyespot under the forewing. The male is one of the most beautiful butterflies in Europe. When the wings are at a certain angle to the sun, a beautiful purple sheen is displayed.
The lesser purple emperor is one of the few large and colorful butterflies I have seen this summer.