Hackberry Emperor (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

Hackberry Emperor

Asterocampa celtis

Who am I? ³

Hear ye, hear ye, it is I, the Hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis). As you can tell by our name, we enjoy to raise our young on hackberry trees! Despite this, we do not typically cause great destruction or distress to Celtis trees. Unless you consider instances such as the complete defoliation of both Celtis occidentalis and Celtis laevigata trees in the past.

Quick facts ³

Common name: Hackberry emperor

Scientific name:Asterocampa celtis (Boisduval & Leconte 1835)

Family: Nymphalidae - Apaturinae

Characteristics:

Wingspan: 1 3/8 - 2 1/2 inches (3.5 - 6.3 cm)
Upperside: reddish brown, with forewings being darker brown towards the tip
Underside: paler, muted version of upperside
Forewing: 1 eyespot, cluster of white spots near the tip
Hindwing: golden brown near base edge, black spots rim the base edge
Females tend to have broader wings

Host plant: Prefers hackberry plants (Celtis spp.)

Nectar plant: Adults tend to acquire food from sap, rotting fruit, dung, carrion, and sometimes drink sweat from humans

Distribution: Primarily eastern and SW United States, and NE Mexico

Flight times: Appears to be most abundant during June and September; they have two broods from May - October. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68264-Asterocampa-celtis

Read more about me here: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/hackberry_emperor.htm

Where can you find me on campus? ³

There have not been ay observations of the Hackberry emperor on campus (as suggested by citizen science platforms, at least). This may change in the future, but until then it may still be possible to spot these butterflies around campus.