Two Purple Empresses in the forest

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen A

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Sunday I visited Houghton Forest and saw Silver-washed Fritillaries, White Admiral, Green-veined White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Speckled Wood. Moths seen were Pearl Veneer, Rosy Tabby and Small Fan-footed Wave.

  On Thursday I returned and was pleased to meet fellow blogger and enthusiast Dave Potter (Friends of Groyne No.4) who was also preparing his evil smelling Purple Emperor bait. I was fortunate to find two female Purple Emperors on the ground at 12:30 and 2:30pm. These were amazing sightings as few females are seen on the ground and these were my first. The first specimen was in pristine condition and the second was pretty good.
lateR note: i forgot to mention that a Stoat crossed the path ahead of me. long lean body loped across, giving a good view of his black-tipped tail.

Common Wave, Cabera exanthemata

Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana

Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana

Fly, Phaonia pallida

Nipplewort, Lapsana communis

Pearl Veneer, Agriphila straminella

Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus

Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis

Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis

Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis

male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia

male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia

male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia

Small Fan-footed Wave, Idaea biselata

tunnel of leaf miner moth larva

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Green-veined White, Pieris napi

Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Campanula trachelium

Pearl Veneer, Agriphila straminella

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen A

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen B

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen B

Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata

Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata

Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata

White-lipped Snail, Cepaea hortensis