Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
Observed in Madera Canyon, Sta. Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA. 10 Sept 2010. This is a female.
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Hackberry butterflies are among the most frequently observed butterflies by hikers through sycamore canyons. They alight on the ground a few meters ahead, then continue down the trail again as the hiker approaches. Usually these ground perchers are males busy defending a prime sunny spot that is often nearby a Net-leaf Hackberry. That is the host plant for the females to lay eggs upon; the males are intent on intercepting them. Males have narrower forewings than the females.
Emperors do not visit flowers, but sometimes visit sap-filled wounds on trees or carrion. The larvae (caterpillars) can be found on the leaves of hackberry trees.
Net-leaf Hackberry
Nymphalidae -- Brush-footed Butterfly Family
More Information:
- Bugguide Iowa State University
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Butterflies and Moths of North America
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search