Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
Last reviewed: June 2026
Hackberry Emperor is known for its mottled brown wings that blend perfectly with tree bark.
Host plants
Hackberry Emperor caterpillars can only develop on their larval host plants. Plant one of these natives and you can host the full life cycle in your own yard (host plant associations per the Xerces Society (opens in new tab)).
- Sugar Hackberry (Celtis laevigata)
- Northern Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata)
- Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida)
Want Hackberry Emperor in your yard? Open Sugar Hackberry in Pollinator Patch and plan an HOA-friendly garden around it for your region.
Family
Nymphalidae
Wingspan
38–64 mm
Active
May through September
Range
TX, AL, AR, IA and 32 more states
How to identify it
Look for grayish-brown wings with irregular darker patterns and small eyespots near wing edges.
Good to know
- Males frequently perch on tree trunks and leaves to watch for females
- Larvae feed exclusively on hackberry tree leaves
- Can tolerate urban and suburban environments with mature hackberry trees
Common questions
- What do Hackberry Emperor caterpillars eat?
- Hackberry Emperor caterpillars feed on Celtis laevigata, Celtis occidentalis, Celtis reticulata, and Celtis pallida. These are the larval host plants the caterpillars must have to develop, per the Xerces Society and host plant records compiled from GBIF and iNaturalist.
- Where do Hackberry Emperor live?
- Hackberry Emperor is found across TX, AL, AR, IA and 32 more states.
- When are Hackberry Emperor active?
- Adult Hackberry Emperor are typically on the wing from May through September.
Range and life-history data compiled from iNaturalist, GBIF, and the Xerces Society. Photo licensed cc-by-nc.