#Genus: Asterocampa

[professionalunprofessional]

A Tawny Emperor!

[onenicebugperday]

@foolishrats submitted: I found this lil fella on my porch and safely relocated them.

Found in central Texas, wondering what species they are. My mom says Tomato horn worm, but when looking them up they're a lot fatter than this one.

What a little cutie! This is one of the hackberry emperor butterflies in the genus Asterocampa, and not a hornworm. Hornworms, which are sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae, have a single horn on their butt. This sweet lil friend has two head horns and two butt tails instead! Fancy! :)

[nanonaturalist]

A good night for finding babies!

1-3: A very hungry caterpillar (moth TBD) ate most of a plant that was growing on my patio

4-5: I have heard of the “leaf-roller” moths and I guess this is why they’re called that.

6: EGGS!!! Looks like the hackberry/tawny emperor’s eggs. Going to see if I can hatch them to find out for sure!

7: A chrysalis! I saw a pale green wedge attached to a dark green leaf about 7 ft up in a hackberry tree. I’m guessing Asterocampa genus (hackberry/tawny emperor butterflies)

8: Hatch-a-thon 2017 commences!

9: Sleeping butterfly! Saw two–outer markings match with hackberry emperor, we’ll see what comes out of the chrysalis

April 20/21, 2017