Purple Emperor (2026)

The male purple emperor butterfly earns its royal name through a dazzling trick of light—its shimmering violet glow isn’t pigment, but a structural illusion caused by light bending through unique scales. Its scientific title, *Apatura iris*, nods to Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Despite its majestic appearance, this insect has a surprisingly grim palate: it commonly feeds on dung, decaying animal matter, and even human sweat, seeking essential minerals rather than nectar.