Hackberry Emperor

Hackberry Emperors are common throughout Alabama. They fly spring through fall in or near deciduous woodlands that support hackberry trees. Males perch on tree trunks and branches where they are commonly encountered; females are less visible. Hackberry Emperors have a distinctive flap and glide flight pattern. These butterflies seldom nectar from flowers, preferring sap, rotting fruit, and carrion. They frequently engage in puddling. © Sara Bright • Sexes are similar, although males are slightly smaller and have more pointed wings. • Coloration is variable. • May be confused with Tawny Emperors. Hackberry Emperors have a black dorsal forewing tip scattered with white spots that Tawny Emperors lack. Two forewing eyespots are present that are absent on Tawnies. There are three black forewing bars on Hackberry Emperor dorsal forewings; Tawnies have only two. Ventrally, Hackberry Emperors are typically much more patterned than Tawny Emperors. Their hindwing eyespots tend to be more noticeable and distinct than those of Tawny Emperors.

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Hackberry Emperor Dorsal Male

Wings more pointed than female’s

Black forewing tip with irregular pattern small white spots*

Three dark bars at base

One black eyespot*

Hindwing submarginal row of dark spots surrounded with pale yellow

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) © Sara Bright * Reliable diagnostic marker

Wingspan: 1¼ - 2½ inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm) Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Hackberry Emperor Dorsal Female

Wings more rounded than male’s

Black forewing tip with irregular pattern small white spots

Three dark bars at base

One black eyespot

Submarginal row of dark spots surrounded with pale yellow

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) © Sara Bright * Reliable diagnostic marker

Wingspan: 1¼ - 2½ inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm) Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Hackberry Emperor Ventral Male

Wings more angular than female’s

One eyespot near forewing apex; one at midwing

Variable mix of grays, browns, whites, black in wing color

Submarginal row of yellow- rimmed, blue-centered hindwing eyespots

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) © Sara Bright * Reliable diagnostic marker

Wingspan: 1¼ - 2½ inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm) Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Hackberry Emperor Ventral Female

Wings more rounded than male’s

One eyespot near forewing apex; one at midwing

Variable mix of grays, browns, whites, black in wing color

Submarginal row of yellow-rimmed, blue-centered hindwing eyespots

Wingspan: 1¼ - 2½ inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm) Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Similar Species Dorsal

Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Similar Species Ventral

Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org