| |
|
|
| Tawny Emperor |
Latin
Name: Asterocampa clyton |
|
|
Genus: Asterocampa Species: clyton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments: |
| The Tawny Emperor is superficially similar to the Hackberry Butterfly with which it flies. Adults are rapid, strong fliers and often difficult to approach. Males perch on sunlit leaves or on the sides of large trees and dart out quickly to investigate passing objects. The developing larvae remain together and feed communally through the first three instars before becoming more solitary. |
| |
|
Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
cream-white, laid in large pyramidal clusters on the underside of host leaves |
Larva: |
light green with broad dorsal yellow stripes, narrow yellow lateral stripes and mottled with small ellow spots; head is green and bears two stubby, ranched horns; rear end has a pair of short tails |
Host Plants: |
Sugarberry |
| |
|
Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Sugarberry |
| |
|
Habitat: |
Habitat: |
rich woodlands, forest edges and adjacent areas |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Wingspan: |
Inches: |
2 - 2.75 |
Centimeters: |
5.1 - 7 |
| |
|
Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar, although female much larger with broader, rounder wings; male has narrowed, triangular wings |
Compare: |
Hackberry Butterfly is lighter brown with single black dorsal forewing spot and white spots near forewing apex. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Markings: |
| |
Above:
- orange-brown with dark markings and borders; hindwing has a postmedian row of dark spots
|
 |
Below:
- as above with muted gray-brown cast and darkrimmed hindwing eyespots
|
|
|
|
Abundance: |
occasional; locally abundant |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
