Butterfly kisses

Empress Leilia, upper side of wings

Empress Leilia, underside of wings

Empress Leilia larvas feed on hackberry plants. Amazing how different they look from above and below.

Viceroy, photo by Ned Harris, 4/2/11

Viceroy, too

The Viceroy larvas (look like bird poop and) feed on willows and cottonwoods. Here's a fun fact: The larvas store the salicylic acid from the willow bark in their bodies. Tastes yucky to predators. Good survival strategy. All photos from Ned Harris.