Tawny Emperor
ExploreInsects
Tawny Emperor
Asterocampa clyton
The Tawny Emperor is a beautiful butterfly with orange and brown wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and can be seen in sunny spots during the summer.
Habitat: Woodlands
Appearance
The Tawny Emperor has tawny orange wings with dark brown or black spots and bands, though some are mostly dark brown. Its undersides are patterned to blend perfectly with tree bark, making it unique among many flashier butterflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusAsterocampa
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its caterpillars wear a 'crown' of two horn-like spikes on their heads!
Male Tawny Emperors are fiercely territorial, guarding their favorite trees from rivals.
They spend the entire cold winter as tiny caterpillars, tucked away in dormant leaves!
This butterfly prefers feasting on rotting fruit and tree sap, ignoring sweet flower nectar!
Special abilities
Ability
Bark Blending
Tawny Emperor has bark-like patterns on its undersides that help it disappear when resting on trees.
Ability
Sap Sipper
Tawny Emperor can drink sticky tree sap with its long proboscis because it provides important nutrients.
Ability
Caterpillar Crown
Tawny Emperor caterpillars have two unique horned spikes on their heads that help them look intimidating.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 50-75 mm
- Size
- 25-35 mm
- Lifespan
- 47-88 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
This butterfly sips tree sap and munches on decaying fruit, not flowers!
Age differences: Larvae eat leaves of hackberry trees, while adults feed on tree sap and decaying matter.
Primary Foods
- tree sap
- rotting fruit
- animal droppings
- carrion
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Larvae feed on its leaves.
eats
Sugarberry
Celtis laevigata
Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Eats adult butterflies and caterpillars.
hunts
Spined Soldier Bug
Podisus maculiventris
Preys on Tawny Emperor caterpillars.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tawny Emperor's wingspan?
50-75 mm
How big is Tawny Emperor?
25-35 mm
How long does Tawny Emperor live?
47-88 days
What does Tawny Emperor eat?
This butterfly sips tree sap and munches on decaying fruit, not flowers!
Where is Tawny Emperor usually found?
Woodlands
How does Tawny Emperor hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Tawny Emperor have?
6
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