The Tawny Emperor is a hackberry-specialist butterfly closely related to the Hackberry Emperor. Its rich tawny-orange upper wing surface lacks the large white apical forewing spots of its relative, giving it a more uniformly orange appearance. Like the Hackberry Emperor, it rarely nectars and is attracted to perspiration, dung, and rotting fruit instead.
Habitat
Deciduous forests and riparian areas with hackberry trees
Diet
Larvae: hackberry leaves. Adults: rotting fruit, dung, and moisture
How common
Common
Recent Tawny Emperor sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Tawny Emperor? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free