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 Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) © Sara Bright * Reliable diagnostic marker Wingspan: 1¼ - 2½ inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm) Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Similar Species Dorsal Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor © Sara Bright © Sara Bright Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org Similar Species Ventral Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor © Lewis Scharpf © Sara Bright Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org.