tawny emperor

Tawny emperor is a medium-sized brushfooted butterfly. It occurs in the United States from New Hampshire to North Dakota south to Georgia and Texas, and in Ontario Canada. There are isolated populations in Florida, New Mexico, and Arizona. There are four subspecies of tawny emperor. Only eastern tawny emperor, the nominate species, occurs in Minnesota.

Adults have a wingspan of 1⅝″ to 2¾″ (42 to 70 mm). Females are much larger than males. The base color is geographically variable. It can be dark and reddish-orange, medium and brownish-orange, or light and yellowish-orange.

On the forewing there are two unbroken dark bars in the cell. There is no dark submarginal eyespot.

The basal portion of the hindwing is covered with long hairs. The margin has dark veins and a straight black border. There is a submarginal row of black chevrons and a postmedial band of black spots with broad pale borders. On some individuals the postmedial and submarginal areas are dark brown.

Wingspan: 1⅝″ to 2¾″ (42 to 70 mm)

Deciduous woodlands, riparian woodlands, and parks

One generation per year: June through August

Third stage (instar) caterpillars overwinter in small groups inside a rolled leaf.

Leaves of elm trees

Tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and carrion

Sources

21, 24, 29, 30, 75, 82, 83.

TAWNY EMPEROR and HACKBERRY EMPEROR feeding
Rob Curtis

Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) Butterfly on my Butterfly Bush
Mark Howard

Location: Houston County, MN