The Great Purple Emperor butterfly is one of the many that you’ll spot fluttering through the air as you enjoy island life in Animal Crossing New Horizons. You’ll need to catch one if you’re looking to complete Blathers’ museum collection or the Critterpedia on your Nook Phone. In this Animal Crossing New Horizons Great Purple Emperor guide, we’ll talk you through its seasonality and spawn times, how to catch one, and how much you can sell it for
Great Purple Emperor Seasonality & Spawn Times
The Great Purple Emperor will only show up on your island during the following months for each hemisphere:
- Northern Hemisphere: May – August
- Southern Hemisphere: November – February
During these months, the Great Purple Emperor can only be caught between the daytime hours of 4:00 AM and 7:00 PM. You cannot catch one outside of these hours.
Catching the Great Purple Emperor in Animal Crossing New Horizons
As long as you’re playing New Horizons during the months and times of day stated above, you’ll have a chance of catching a Great Purple Emperor.
These are incredibly rare and will more often than not just be flying around your island. If you have a large section filled with flowers on your island this will be your best bet.
Like most insects in the game, Great Purple Emperor butterflies are attracted to flowers. It’s worth noting that a specific type of flower isn’t required to make a Great Purple Emperor spawn on your island.
The Great Purple Emperor has black and purple wings with distinct yellow spots on them.
To catch it when you see one, ready our bug net by pressing and holding A with it equipped. Walk slowly over to it and let go of A when it’s in range. Be careful to line up your swing otherwise you may miss it and let it get away.
Great Purple Emperor Sell Price
Great Purple Emperor butterflies can be sold to Nook’s Cranny for 3,000 Bells.
If Flick is visiting your island, you can sell Great Purple Emperors to him for 4,500 Bells each as he offers an increased buy price whenever he shows up.
That’s it for how to catch the Great Purple Emperor in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For more tips, tricks, and guides, head over to our wiki, search for Twinfinite, or check out more of our coverage below.
