Tawny Emperor (Butterflies of Alabama)

Tawny Emperor

Asterocampa clyton

Summary ⁷

The Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) is a species of brush-footed butterfly. It is native to North America, especially the eastern half from Canada to northern Mexico.

North american ecology (us and canada) ⁸

Asterocampa clyton is a year-round resident in the eastern United States, and ranges to s. Mex. in North America (Scott 1986). Habitats are subtropical to transition zone woods. Host plants are usually mature trees, restricted to one genus Celtis (Ulmaceae). Eggs are laid on the host plant stacked in large clusters, with 200-500 eggs per clutch, usually on the undersides of leaves. Individuals overwinter as third-stage larvae, in a hirbernaculum-leaf curled up using silk. There are variable numbers of flights each year depending on latitude: multiple flights all year in s. Tex.; multiple flights Mar.1-Nov.30 in Fla.; multiple flights June1-Sept30 in Ariz; two flights in Mo; one flight late June-Aug15 in the northern part of the range (Scott 1986).