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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies (excluding skippers) (Papilionoidea) » Brushfooted Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Emperors (Apaturinae) » Asterocampa » Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)

Species Asterocampa clyton - Tawny Emperor

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Tawny Emperor - 1st Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor - 2nd Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor - 3rd Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor - 4th Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larva; pupating sequence. - Asterocampa clyton

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies (excluding skippers))

Family Nymphalidae (Brushfooted Butterflies)

Subfamily Apaturinae (Emperors)

Genus Asterocampa

Species clyton (Tawny Emperor)

Size

Wingspan 4-7 cm

Identification

Similar to Hackberry Emperor, but rusty-brown above, darker below. Has small irridescent patches instead of eyespots below.

Range

Eastern and Central North America, some disjunct populations in Florida, southwest

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands, especially riparian woodlands with hostplant.

Season

June-August (one flight) in most of east, two flights and longer season (March-November) in south

Food

Adults take fluid from dung, rotting fruit, carrion. Like the Hackberry Emperor, this butterfly is "friendly", and likes to perch on sweaty humans.

Life Cycle

Larvae feed on Hackberry, Celtis. Males perch in sunny locations to watch for females. Caterpillars overwinter in groups.

Remarks

Usually less common than the Hackberry Emperor, but found in similar habitats.

See Also

Hackberry Emperor, Asterocampa celtis

Print References

Glassberg (1)

Brock and Kaufman (2)

Scott (3)

Allen (4)

Internet References

Butterflies and Skippers of North America

Dallas Butterflies

Works Cited

1.	Butterflies Through Binoculars: The East By Jeffrey Glassberg

2.	Butterflies of North America (Kaufman Focus Guides) By Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman

3.	The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide By James A. Scott

4.	The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars By Thomas J. Allen

Contributed by Cotinis on 9 March, 2004 - 4:51pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Last updated 1 September, 2007 - 12:44am

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