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)
Pettigrew State Park, Washington Co., NC
30 June 2006

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


Orange Co., NC 19 May 2004	Orange Co., NC 19 May 2004


Orange Co., NC 2 Aug 2005

	Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Orange Co., NC 13 June 2008 I like this reflection.
	Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) Orange Co., NC 13 June 2008 Cool eyes.

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... May 19, 2003 | Updated on ... Mar 1, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu