As of today, in season, building toward peak (~June 20). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
The Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) is a large, canopy-dwelling butterfly that appears in mature oak woodland across parts of southern England.
In the New Forest it flies for a limited summer period, with males often patrolling and settling on sunlit rides and sallows.
Sightings require warm, sunny weather and patient canopy-watching.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Matley Inclosure rides and sallows |
| Bolderwood and Knightwood Oak rides |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.