The Tawny Emperor is a warm orange-brown butterfly marked with black and white spots, especially along the forewings. It ranges throughout much of the Eastern United States and extends south into northeastern Mexico. This species is often found near hackberry trees, its host plant, and prefers wooded edges, riverbanks, and areas with natural vegetation.

 

“Tawny Emperor” by John Flannery, (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Tawny Emperor Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Apaturinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 5/8 – 2 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Densely wooded riparian areas, dry woods, open woods, cities, fencerows, and parks

 

🪴Host Plants

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

• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

• Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)

 

🌸 feeding behavior

Adult Tawny Emperor butterflies primarily feed on:

• Dung

• Moisture from damp soil and leaf litter

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

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