The Hackberry Emperor is a medium-sized nymphalid butterfly entirely dependent on hackberry trees throughout its life. Adults are bold and curious, frequently landing on people to drink perspiration with their proboscis. The caterpillar overwinters as a partially grown larva in a curled leaf on the ground. Its brown-and-orange wings bear eyespots and pale spots near the forewing tip.
Habitat
Deciduous forests with hackberry, wooded stream corridors
Diet
Larvae: hackberry leaves. Adults: tree sap, rotting fruit, and perspiration
How common
Common
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