Description
Book SynopsisA witty and informative account that busts the myths about Britain''s most captivating butterfly species.When summer is at its zenith and the sallow foliage develops a bluish tinge, a giant butterfly beautiful, bold and brazen flies powerfully over the tree canopy. Females of this species, wary yet determined, haunt the sallow thickets, depositing their eggs, while the males establish treetop territories and descend to the woodland floor in search of indelicacies to feed upon. Mysterious, elusive and enthralling in equal measure, this is the butterfly that Victorian collectors yearned for above all others: His Imperial Majesty, the Purple Emperor. A wondrous enigma, the Purple Emperor is our most elusive and least-known butterfly we glimpse it only through fissures in its treetop world, yet this giant insect has fascinated us for centuries and has even inspired its own ''Emperoring'' language. Matthew Oates became captivated by the Purple Emperor following his first sighting
Trade ReviewCaptivating ... an exuberant natural history. * Daily Mail *
One of the greatest naturalists of our time, Matthew is also one of science's most articulate and generous communicators, the kind of champion nature needs now more than ever. -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
Dogbarking wood, cherry-pickers, shrimp paste, caterpillars called Sir Cloudesley Shovell – this monumental, transcendent, hilarious book is a natural history like no other. This profound work of genius brings us alive to the pulsating wonder of an English woodland in June – to life, the universe and everything. -- Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles
Matthew Oates's beatification of one of our most – he would say the most – spectacular insects is a total delight. In prose which soars as high as its subject, he blends mythology, history, biology and exceptional field skills to create the ultimate butterfly biography. -- Brett Westwood, presenter and author
With its beautiful jacket cover and subject matter,
His Imperial Majesty conjures intrigue from the off. Delving page by page into the natural history of one of Britain's most spectacular and mysterious insects, Matthew Oates reflects on almost 50 years of personal observations, study, musings, and what is, quite frankly, obsession, setting you on course for a riveting and riotous rollercoaster ride through the life and times of this remarkable butterfly. -- Simon Breeze * British Wildlife *
Table of ContentsForeword Introduction: Adrift on the wind Chapter 1: A glorious history Chapter 2: The modern era Chapter 3: The Purple Empire Chapter 4: Introduction to the adult stage Chapter 5: Beauty as a weapon: the male Purple Emperor Chapter 6: The Empress: a life apart Chapter 7: Looking for Purple Emperors Chapter 8: Habitats and breeding grounds Chapter 9: Sallow identification and preferences: a veritable nightmare Chapter 10: Eggs and late summer larvae Chapter 11: Hibernation and the winter months Chapter 12: Spring larvae and the pupal stage Chapter 13: Adventures with remarkable caterpillars Chapter 14: Looking for Purple Emperor eggs and larvae Chapter 15: The Purple land that England gained Chapter 16: Conservation issues Chapter 17: The future
Appendix: The history and current status of the Purple Emperor, by region and country Glossary References and further reading Epilogue Acknowledgements Index of species and scientific names General index
