Already, the 2019 Purple Emperor season is on the wane at Knepp Wildland. I struggled to see 35 yesterday. The last should be seen here around July 26th.
From now on they will be afternoon butterflies only. Don't look for them here before 11.45am, and don't expect them to come down to the ground at all.
Male activity will become increasingly localised and episodic, around favoured territories and feeder trees.
Females will be active in the sallow jungles between noon and 3pm, and around sap bleeds. The good news is that the weather is set fair and the sallow foliage is in good condition for egg laying.
Early indications are that this year's Knepp PE transect tally will be around 95-98, compared to 201 last year and 114 in 2017.
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