Insect · GBIF taxon 1898431
Tawny Emperor
Asterocampa clytonTawny emperors are fast-flying, territorial butterflies often seen perching high on tree trunks or foliage in deciduous forests. Unlike typical butterflies that visit flowers, adults feed primarily on tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and mineral-rich mud patches. Females lay large clusters of eggs exclusively on hackberry trees, which nourish their green, bifurcated caterpillars.
Brush-FootedWoodlandFast Flyer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree sap
- Rotting fruit
- Animal dung
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Mantises
ThreatsRemoval of host trees, forest fragmentation, and broad-scale insecticide applications
HabitatsDeciduous broadleaf forests, woodland borders, river bottoms, and parks containing hackberry trees
Life span1 to 2 weeks as adults, up to 1 year total life cycle
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNymphalidae
- GenusAsterocampa
- SpeciesAsterocampa clyton
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Watch Tree Trunks: Look for adults resting head-down on trunk bark or sunny foliage.
- Approach Slowly: Move with gentle motions, as these butterflies dart away rapidly when startled.
- Locate Host Trees: Target mature hackberry trees where territorial males perch to defend airspace.
Host Companion (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Rodolfo Salinas Villarreal, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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