Yes, purple butterflies do exist.
While truly vibrant purple butterflies are not as common as other colors, there are species that exhibit stunning purple or iridescent purple coloration. One notable example is the Purple emperor butterfly (Apatura iris).
According to the provided reference, the Purple emperor (Apatura iris) is a beautiful and elusive woodland butterfly found in the UK. Despite its somewhat unsavoury appetite, it is described as having an exotic appearance and being a stunning insect of UK woodlands. The name itself, "Purple emperor," directly points to its distinctive coloration, which is often a beautiful iridescent purple seen on the upper wings of the male, particularly in certain light conditions.
Therefore, butterflies with purple hues, such as the Purple emperor, are indeed a real part of the insect world.
