Hackberry Emperor

Asterocampa celtis — the hackberry emperor — is one of the most familiar brushfoot butterflies in eastern and central North America and one of about 5 species in genus Asterocampa (the 'emperor' butterflies of North and Central America — all closely associated with hackberry trees as larval host plants). The species is widespread across eastern and central North America from southern Ontario south through the eastern US to northern Florida and west to the Great Plains. Adults are 5-7 cm wingspan with the species' diagnostic features: brown-and-tan wings with intricate dark markings on the upperside; distinctive UNDERSIDE PATTERN with prominent EYESPOTS on the underside of the hindwing (typically 5-6 small dark eyespots arranged in a row); and a relatively dull tan-brown overall color compared to the more colorful related tawny emperor (Asterocampa clyton — both species often co-occur in the same habitat with hackberry trees). The species' major behavioral feature is the adult HUMAN-LANDING BEHAVIOR. Hackberry emperors are STRONGLY ATTRACTED to human sweat and other body secretions — adults frequently land on humans (especially on bare skin, sweaty clothing, salt-encrusted hats, sweaty shoes) and use the long PROBOSCIS to DRINK THE SALT-AND-PROTEIN-RICH FLUIDS. The behavior is one of the most-cited examples of MUD-PUDDLING in NA Lepidoptera — mud-puddling is the broader behavior in which adult butterflies (especially males) seek out salt-and-mineral-rich fluids from mud puddles, animal urine and feces, sap flows, decaying fruits, and human secretions to obtain sodium, amino acids, and other nutrients that are scarce in nectar but essential for reproduction (especially for males who transfer salts to females during mating in a 'nuptial gift' that supports egg production). The hackberry emperor is one of the most-encountered NA butterflies for the sweat-landing behavior — outdoor recreationists in eastern NA hackberry-rich forests routinely have hackberry emperors landing on their skin, clothing, and equipment. The species is restricted to FORESTS WHERE HACKBERRY TREES (Celtis occidentalis and related Celtis species) GROW — the only known larval host plants. Larvae feed exclusively on hackberry leaves and pupate on the underside of hackberry leaves. Adult hackberry emperors live 1-2 weeks during peak summer flight season and (during the brief adult lifespan) seek nectar from a wide range of sources PLUS the unusual mud-puddling-and-sweat-feeding sources. The species is harmless to humans (no venom, no bite — sweat-landing is harmless) and is one of the most familiar brushfoot butterflies in eastern NA backyard nature photography.