The hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis) is a butterfly that lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves of a hackberry tree, the only plant on which its caterpillars feed. The top side of an adult’s wings are orange-brown with darker brown, and have white spots and a black “eyespot.” The underside of its wings is lighter, but also features spots and an eyespot. Unlike other butterflies, hackberry emperors are not often seen sipping nectar. You’ll find them hanging upside down on a vertical s