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Species Detail

Empress Leilia

Asterocampa leilia (W.H. Edwards, 1874)

JPG -- species photo

Attributes of Asterocampa leilia


Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Subfamily: Emperors (Apaturinae)

Identification: Upperside is chestnut brown; forewing has 2 solid brown bars in the cell, median white spots, and 2 black eyespots near the outer margin.

Life history: Males perch most of the day to watch for females. Eggs are laid in groups of 10-15 on the top of host plant leaves. Third-stage caterpillars hibernate.

Flight: All year in South Texas, April-November in Arizona.

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 3 inches (3.8 - 7.6 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Tree Celtis pallida in the elm family (Ulmaceae).

Adult food: Sap and dung, occasionally flower nectar.

Habitat: Thorn scrub, washes, canyons, streamsides.

Range: Southern Arizona east to South Texas, south to central Mexico.

Conservation: Not usually of conservation concern.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

Documented Records for Asterocampa leilia



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