It is native to North America, especially the eastern half from Canada to northern Mexico.

The tawny emperor should not be mistaken for a very similar Asterocampa butterfly, the hackberry emperor, which can be distinguished by the white spots near the tip of its forewing and the black eyespot lower along the edge of the forewing.

The underside is mainly gray brown with the forewing having some black and pale yellowish markings.

This butterfly may be seen flying near houses, gravel driveways, near water, muddy places, gardens, and woodlands.

The adult feeds on carrion, plant sap, and dung, and rarely land on flowers.