The Hackberry Emperor is a North American butterfly commonly found near water bodies, swamps, and in city parks or gardens. Unlike many other butterfly species, it is rarely seen visiting flowers. Instead, it seeks out tree sap, rotting fruit, and even animal droppings or moist soil for nutrients. Its erratic hopping flight and bold behavior, often landing on people, make it a distinctive and curious presence in its habitat.

 

“Hackberry Emperor” by Jimmy Smith, licensed under (CC BY- NC-ND 2.0)

 

Hackberry Emperor Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Apaturinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 2 1/2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Along wooded streams, forest glades, river edges, wooded roadsides, and towns

 

🪴Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Hackberry (Celtis spp.)

 

🌸feeding behavior

Adult Hackberry Emperors primarily feed on:

• Dung

• Moisture from damp soil and mud

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

• Sweat and carrion

Their preference for sap, rotting fruit, and dung is due to their shaded woodland habitats, where flowers are less abundant.