Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
|
|
The Hackberry Emperor is a medium-sized brown spotted butterfly. It is a strong flier and tends to dart quickly. The black eye-spots on the forewing, both above and below, distinguish this species from the similar Tawny Emperor.
Males tend to be territorial and will fly out from their favored perch, usually about 6 feet up in foliage, and attack any invaders, including other species of butterflies and even people. They also launch themselves in the same way when a potential mate flutters by.
|
This butterfly gets its name from the larval food: Hackberry species. The caterpillars are green with white stripes and are covered with very short fuzz. They have a small forked tail.
|
The most striking feature of the caterpillars is their head. It resembles a spiney mask with branched horns that look like little antlers.
|
class: Insecta / order: Lepidoptera / family: Nymphalidae / genus: Asterocampa / species: celtis
| site by larvalbug |
