Description

The Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) is a medium-sized butterfly with mottled brown and orange wings, featuring small eyespots and darker markings, typically found near hackberry trees in woodlands, forests, and along rivers across the central and eastern United States. Not as common as the Hackberry Emperor but when Hackberry Emperors are around, you might find a Tawny Emperor flying among them.

Range

Roughly south and east of a line from Brainerd to Rochester to the Iowa border.

Similar Species

Hackberry Emperor is smaller, grayer and has an eyespot on the forewing that Tawny lacks.

Host Plants

main larval host plants: Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

Flight

Overwinters in chrysalis, and can emerge as early as June and can fly until July