Emperor butterfly

The Emperor Butterfly, also called Emperor, is an uncommon and rare  butterfly that is found around flowers in the summer months, at varying times of the day. In City Folk, it becomes the only butterfly that can be found in the night, however to the contrary in and  it is diurnal. "Emperor" is not a term naturally relating to Morpho menelaus, so it is likely that this was actually meant to be the Purple Emperor found in the game just before. The emperor butterfly makes its first appearance in very late spring and is only common for one season.

Donating to the Museum
As with all fish and bugs in the series, the Emperor Butterfly can be donated to the Museum by talking to Blathers, the curator. When donating, Blathers will say the following upon receiving the Emperor Butterfly:

In Wild World
''Hoo. Ah. What have we here? An emperor, if I'm not utterly mistaken? Ah, no, please, don't bother taking it out of its cage! Protocols, you know, wot? I'm a but squeamish about insects, you see, and I don't fancy touching one.''

It can be found on or flying around the row of flowers on the right ofthe first room, with the other butterflies.

In City Folk
"The emperor butterfly's beautiful blue markings make it a popular gift in certain parts of the world. Hoo, yes, wonderful gift... Such gift givers should have their heads examined, I should think..."

It can be found in the bottom terrace, flying near or resting on the flowers with any other butterflies.

In New Leaf
In New Leaf an information board in the bug exhibit will list information about this bug.

"Emperor butterflies are easily recognized because of their lovely, iridescent blue wings.  Pigmentation isn't actually what causes the color, but rather the reflections on their wing scales.  Since their wings shimmer when moving, noticing them is much easier when they are midflight."

Bug Encyclopedia Information
Once an Emperor Butterfly has been caught, the player can find information about the insect in the bug menu. Below is the information:

Further Information
Morpho menelaus, more commonly known as the Blue Morpho, is an exotic butterfly that can be found in Central and South America. It feeds primarily on rotten fruit, but in the larval stage, frequently eats other larvae of the same species.

A related species, the Peleides Blue Morpho, is a common attraction in Butterfly Houses around the world.

Morpho stems from the Greek word for form, which means 'changed'. This may be a reflection of the species' beautiful cerulean iridescence, which has the quality of changing colours in the light, and is not actually true pigment. Menelaus was a legendary king of Sparta who married Helen of Troy.