The species is divided into seven subspecies:* "Apatura metis metis" (Freyer, 1829) (South-Eastern Europe)* "Apatura metis bunea" (Herrich-Schäffer, 1845) (South-European Russia, Caucasus)* "Apatura metis substituta" (Butler, 1873) (Japan)* "Apatura metis irtyshika" (Korshunov, 1982) (South-Western Siberia, Kazakhstan)* "Apatura metis separata" (Tuzov, 2000) (Transbaikalia)* "Apatura metis heijona" (Matsumura, 1928) (Korea, Amur and Ussuri regions)* "Apatura metis doii" (Matsumura, 1928) (Kurile islands)==Habitat and ecology==Freyer's purple emperor usually inhabits forests and is often found nearby rivers and streams.
* "Apatura metis metis" Freyer, 1829 ( Юго-Восточная Европа)* "Apatura metis bunea" (Юго-Восточная Россия, Кавказ)* "Apatura metis substituta" Butler, 1873 (Япония)* "Apatura metis irtyshika" Korshunov, 1982 (Западная Сибирь, Казахстан)* "Apatura metis separata" Tuzov, 2000 (Забайкалье) - статус подвида сомнителен, отличия только в меньшей величине, но такие особи обычны и в Среднем Приамурье, а иногда и в Приморье.