TAWNY EMPEROR

Asterocampa clyton

BRUSHFOOT FAMILY  (Nymphalidae)

This emperor has a wingspan of 2 - 2 5/8 inches.  It is tawny brown dorsally with 2 dark, vertical zigzags on the leading edge of the forewing and two rows of yellow spots across the wing.  There is a row of dark circles across the hindwing.  Ventrally, it is tan with brown and black markings with a row of dark eyespots on the hindwing.  The similar Hackberry Emperor is smaller, more brown in color and has 2 dark eyespots on the dorsal forewing margin.  The sluglike caterpillar grows to a length of 1 5/8 inches.  It is bright green with rows of yellow, white and dark green longitudinal stripes.  The head and antlers are green.  The antlers on the head have spiklets that are  more than half the length of the spikelets projecting from the branched spines of the “cheeks.”   Two spines extend from the rear of the body. 

Usually uncommon in summer, the adults prefer sap and rotting fruit.  It is often found around Hackberry Emperors.

The larvae feed communally through the 3rd instar when they leave to feed individually.  The larvae of the closely related Hackberry Emperor never feed communually.  The larval host plants are hackberry trees.