Habitat:

One of the bars is broken on the Hackberry Emperor.  WisconsinButterflies.org Introduction. The best previous year for both species was 2019, when we had 117 observations for Hackberry Emperor, and 59 for Tawny Emperor. Beneath, the Tawny Emperor has a row of eyespots, but these spots may become obscured in darker individuals. The Tawny Emperor lacks the distinct submarginal spot above, and one cell bar in the front wing is broken.

Tawny Emperor. ( Log Out /  The Tawny Emperor rarely visits flowers for nectar. Late June and then in August. Notes:   

The Tawny is best described by how it differs from the Hackberry Emperor, the more common of the two species in Wisconsin. The Tawny Emperor rarely visits flowers for nectar. Throughout most of the eastern United States the Tawny Emperor and the Hackberry Emperor are found in association with their host plant, Hackberry. The tawny emperor, Asterocampa clyton (Boisduval & LeConte), is a medium sized, rather non-descript butterfly that is particularly common in riparian forests, but is also found in dry woods and suburbs (Opler et al.

It can be distinguished from the Hackberry by the two solid bars on its forewing. Two flights in Wisconsin.

They are territorial and will chase away other butterflies from their airspace. Both species also readily land on a butterfly watcher. Two flights in Wisconsin. Description:

It is often found in association with the hackberry emperor, Asterocampa celtis (Boisduval and LeConte), which is usually more abundant. Both species may be often seen flying erratically around the host trees or getting minerals and moisture from the ground. Both species also readily land on a butterfly watcher. So not a huge change for Hackberry Emperor, but quite a surge for Tawny Emperor. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account.

Beneath, the Tawny Emperor has a row of eyespots, but these spots may become obscured in darker individuals. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Both species may be often seen flying erratically around the host trees or getting minerals and moisture from the ground. Late June and then in August. The Tawny Emperor lacks the distinct submarginal spot above, and one cell bar in the front wing is broken. Asterocampa clyton. Here in southwest Houston, I mainly see Tawny Emperors. After no visits (apparently) in 2011 or 2012, 4 were reported on 7/18/2013 by T. Gagnon. In my experience, the Tawny Emperor tends to be less vibrant in appearance than the Hackberry, but there are exceptions as seen in the photos below. An orange brown background color, very similar to the Hackberry Emperor. Durham Co., NC 9/13/09.  The Butterfly Site. It can be distinguished from the Hackberry by the two solid bars on its forewing. This butterfly, like its relative, prefers sap or rotting fruit to flowers, and also habitually perches high up on tree trunks and other vertical surfaces. Click on individual photos to view a larger version that includes photo credits, county, and date.

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In San Angelo, I mainly saw Hackberry Emperors.

Tawny Emperor is an uncommon butterfly found throughout the eastern half of the US and south into Mexico. Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) Photos.

Rich woods or parks where Hackberry grows. Of course, just because the butterflies have been sighted in an area … Design A Butterfly Garden Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Something went wrong. Photos with comments are indicated by …