Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)

Locally common in the NC piedmont, Hackberry Emperors are fairly rare in the mountains & coastal plain. They're generally found only in areas where Hackberry & Sugarberry trees (Celtis spp.) grow. They fly from late Spring into Fall and will often land on people (especially sweaty ones) for moisture & salts!
Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Pettigrew State Park, Washington Co., NC
30 June 2006

The dark "eyespot" in the forewing helps distinguish this species from the similar Tawny Emperor.


Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Orange Co., NC
19 May 2004

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Photo on right shows several Hackberry and at least one Tawny on a large pile of dung
Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Orange Co., NC
2 Aug 2005
Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Hillsborough, Orange Co., NC
2 Aug 2017

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Umstead S.P., Wake Co., NV
11 Aug 2023

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
1 June 2009

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Durham, NC
11 Sep 2012

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
13 Sep 2020
Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Quail Roost, Durham Co., NC
16 May 2023

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Orange Co., NC
13 June 2008

I like this reflection.

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Orange Co., NC
13 June 2008

Cool eyes.


Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Orange Co., NC
11 Sep 2012

Enjoying some Swamp White Oak (Quercus michauxii) slime flux with a Southern Pearly-eye.


Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Durham Co., NC
11 Sep 2012

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis)
Mascatatuck NWR, Jackson Co., IN
27 July 2015

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis antonia)
National Butterfly Center, HIdalgo Co., TX
1 May 2018

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis celtis) caterpillar
Quail Roost, Durham Co., NC
20 Aug 2017

On Celtis leaves



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Created on ... May 19, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com