ExploreInsects

Hackberry Emperor

Asterocampa celtis

The Hackberry Emperor is a beautiful butterfly with orange and brown wings. It loves to flutter around in sunny spots and can often be seen resting on tree trunks.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Hackberry Emperor is a medium-sized butterfly, featuring mottled gray-brown or brownish-orange wings with a few small, pale spots and dark markings. Its underside is cryptically patterned, allowing it to blend seamlessly with tree bark, particularly the hackberry tree.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusAsterocampa
Hackberry Emperor
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Hackberry Emperor

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult Hackberry Emperors almost never drink nectar from flowers.

Their caterpillars wear a "head crown" with two tiny, branched horns.

These butterflies love to land on people, tasting their skin with their feet!

They often "dance" together in the air, especially in the afternoon sun!

Special abilities

Ability

Tree Trunk Master

Hackberry Emperor has mottled gray-brown wings that help them perfectly camouflage on tree trunks, making them very hard to spot.

Ability

Unusual Drinker

Hackberry Emperor can sip on tree sap, rotting fruit, or even animal droppings because of its specialized proboscis, helping them get nutrients.

Ability

Antennae Scanner

Hackberry Emperor can use its clubbed antennae to detect host plants and find suitable mates, helping them navigate their world.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
45-65 mm
Size
20-30 mm
Lifespan
15-20 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch hackberry leaves; adults prefer tree sap, rotting fruit, and other liquids.

Age differences: Larvae are herbivorous, feeding on hackberry leaves. Adults are saprophagous/scavengers, drinking tree sap, rotting fruit, and animal waste.

Primary Foods

  • Hackberry Leaves
  • Tree Sap
  • Rotting Fruit
  • Animal Droppings
  • Aphid Honeydew

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Hackberry Tree

Celtis occidentalis

Caterpillars eat its leaves; adults feed on its sap and perch.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Blue Jays prey on caterpillars and adult butterflies.

parasitizes

Tobacco Hornworm Wasp

Cotesia congregata

Parasitic wasps lay eggs on caterpillars, consuming them from within.

eaten by

Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

Opossums can consume larvae and pupae when foraging.

Traits

Also known as

Hackberry Butterfly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them without touching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hackberry Emperor's wingspan?

45-65 mm

How big is Hackberry Emperor?

20-30 mm

How long does Hackberry Emperor live?

15-20 days

What does Hackberry Emperor eat?

Caterpillars munch hackberry leaves; adults prefer tree sap, rotting fruit, and other liquids.

Where is Hackberry Emperor usually found?

Forests

How does Hackberry Emperor hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Hackberry Emperor have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects