(Asterocampa celtis)
Emperors
Appearance: Generally a pale butterfly in flight. Upperside orange-brown with a jagged postmedian row of white spots and a single (sometimes two) submarginal black spot on forewing. Dark wingtips with white spots. Hindwing has a postmedian row of black spots. Below, the hindwing has a row of submarginal blue-centered eyespots.
Wingspan: Medium; 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches.
Habitat: Perches on leaves or tree trunk, usually well above ground in foothills canyons, wooded riparian areas, wooded roadsides, parks and gardens; plains, foothills.
Flight Times: May through August; one to two broods.
Larval Foodplant: Hackberry.
Did You Know…
This family (Emperors) seldom visit flowers, but will seek out humans for the salt in our perspiration.
