Japan's National Butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, Emerges Again This Year in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture
Key facts
- Japan's National Butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, Emerges Again This Year in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture
- In Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the national butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, is emerging at Meihō Elementary School. Through cooperation with a citizen group, breeding and educational activities are being conducted, allowing children to learn about the butterfly's ecology and experience its beauty as part of their lessons.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 13, 2026
Direct answer
In Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the national butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, is emerging at Meihō Elementary School. Through cooperation with a citizen group, breeding and educational activities are being conducted, allowing children to learn about the butterfly's ecology and experience its beauty as part of their lessons.
- Citation
- Japan's National Butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, Emerges Again This Year in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture (June 13, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 13, 2026
In Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the national butterfly, the Great Purple Emperor, is emerging at Meihō Elementary School. Through cooperation with a citizen group, breeding and educational activities are being conducted, allowing children to learn about the butterfly's ecology and experience its beauty as part of their lessons.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 13, 2026 at 00:12
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 15:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (1h 30m after Collected)
Great Purple Emperor resting on a child's hand
Children observing the Great Purple Emperor
The breeding cage, installed in a corner of the school grounds at Kawanishi Meihō Municipal Elementary School, houses the Great Purple Emperor, designated as the national butterfly by the Entomological Society of Japan and also registered as a near-threatened species. This initiative began in 2018 as part of the 3rd-grade science curriculum, with the cooperation of citizen groups such as the 'Association for Considering the Local Nature and Town.' Children visit the breeding cage during breaks and other times to enjoy the sight of the beautifully emerged Great Purple Emperors.
The Great Purple Emperor feeds on hackberry leaves during its larval stage, pupates, and emerges as an adult around June to July. Males are characterized by a purplish-blue color on about half of their wings from the base, with white spots. In contrast, females have reddish-brown wings, not the vibrant purplish-blue of the males, and are slightly larger than the males.
The breeding cage for the Great Purple Emperor within the school premises measures approximately 180 cm in height and 180 cm in width, and was installed with the cooperation of the aforementioned association.
Four hackberry trees, which the larvae of the Great Purple Emperor prefer to eat, are planted directly in the ground within the cage. This year, two adults emerged on June 2nd. Currently, 13 pupae are being raised inside the cage, awaiting their emergence.
Children commented, 'The Great Purple Emperor was very beautiful and cute. It was very fun to be able to actually touch it, and I wanted to know more about the Great Purple Emperor.'
Great Purple Emperor resting on a child's hand
FAQ
Why is the Great Purple Emperor designated as Japan's national butterfly?
The Great Purple Emperor is the largest butterfly in Japan, and due to its beauty and presence, it was chosen as the national butterfly by the Entomological Society of Japan in 1956.
Are there any difficulties in breeding the Great Purple Emperor?
Securing hackberry trees as food for the larvae and managing temperature and humidity until adulthood are crucial. As it is a near-threatened species, conservation considerations are also necessary.
What is the significance of this activity for Kawanishi City?
By protecting and passing on the Great Purple Emperor, a local natural heritage, and promoting environmental education for the next generation, it contributes to fostering local attachment and raising environmental awareness.
Are similar activities conducted in other schools?
Activities to learn about biodiversity and environmental conservation through collaboration between schools and local groups are carried out nationwide. This case in Kawanishi City is also noteworthy as one such example.
When is the best time to observe the Great Purple Emperor?
Adults are mainly seen from June to July. During this period, you can observe their emergence in the school's breeding cage.