Asterocampa

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Asterocampa: /æstəroʊˈkæmpə/

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Summary

Asterocampa celtis, known as the hackberry emperor, is a North American butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae. Known for its distinctive feeding behavior and habitat preferences, it primarily relies on hackberry trees as its host plant.

Physical Characteristics

Adults exhibit sexual dimorphism. Males have smaller, darker bodies and more slender wings than females. Both sexes are light brown with a row of black or white dots near the far edge of their wings, and white spots near the front of the wing distinguishing them from the Tawny Emperor.

Identification Tips

Look for the characteristic light brown color with black and white spots on the wings. Males are smaller and darker than females.

Habitat

Asterocampa celtis lives in cities, forests, and wooded areas, especially near rivers or other bodies of water, and is not deterred by human development.

Distribution

Found across a wide range in North America, from central Mexico to parts of Eastern Canada, and throughout the Midwest and eastern coastal areas from Florida to New England.

Diet

Larvae feed on leaves and leaf buds of hackberry trees; adults feed on hackberry sap, feces, dead animals, old fruit, and can drink from puddles.

Life Cycle

A. celtis exhibits a complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of hackberry leaves, with higher fecundity linked to cluster laying.

Predators

Birds and mammals such as bears and raccoons prey on larvae; stink bugs can eat the eggs.

Conservation Status

Not under serious threat and is commonly found across its distribution.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a consumer in the ecosystem, interacting with hackberry trees and other organisms.

Misconceptions

Considered a 'cheater' organism because it feeds without providing pollination benefits to flowers.

Tags

• Asterocampa
• hackberry emperor
• Nymphalidae
• North American butterfly