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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Emperors (Apaturinae) » Apaturini » Asterocampa » Tawny Emperor - Hodges#4562.1 (Asterocampa clyton)

Species Asterocampa clyton - Tawny Emperor - Hodges#4562.1

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Tawny Emperor - First instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor - 2nd Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larvae - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larva; pupating sequence. - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor - 5th (final) Instar larva; pupating sequence. - Asterocampa clyton Tawny Emperor Caterpillar - Asterocampa clyton small caterpillar - Asterocampa clyton
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies and Skippers)
Family Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Subfamily Apaturinae (Emperors)
Tribe Apaturini
Genus Asterocampa
Species clyton (Tawny Emperor - Hodges#4562.1)
Hodges Number
4562.1
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Asterocampa clyton (Boisduval and LeConte)
Orig. Comb: Apatura clyton Boisduval and Leconte [1835]
Explanation of Names
clyto - Greek for 'famous' (1)
Numbers
4 spp. n. of Mex. - MPG
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
e. of the Rocky Mtns, rare in AZ-NM - Map - MPG
Habitat
Deciduous woodlands, especially riparian woodlands with hostplant.
Season
mostly: May-Nov - monthly records - MPG
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
Allen (2)
Brock and Kaufman (3)
Glassberg (4)
Scott (5)
Internet References
Butterflies of America - BOA
Moth Photographers Group - MPG
Butterflies and Moths of North America - BAMONA
Works Cited
1.Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms
Donald J. Borror. 1960. Mayfield Publishing Company.
2.The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars
Thomas J. Allen. 1998. University of Pittsburgh Press.
3.Butterflies of North America (Kaufman Focus Guides)
Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman. 2003. Houghton Mifflin Co.
4.Butterflies Through Binoculars: The East
Jeffrey Glassberg. 1999. Oxford University Press.
5.The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide
James A. Scott. 1992. Stanford University Press.
Contributed by Cotinis on 9 March, 2004 - 4:51pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz, Mike Quinn
Last updated 18 June, 2014 - 9:10am

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