Claudina Crescent
Common NameClaudina Crescent
Scientific NamePhyciodes claudina
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black
HabitatOpen areas, clearings, forest edges, gardens, roadsides
Geographic RangeMexico, Central America, and northern South America
Host PlantsBidens, Ambrosia
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on host plant leaves. Larvae are spiny and feed gregariously before pupating into a mottled chrysalis.
Identification TipsKey features include the bright orange and black pattern, especially the black apex on the forewing and the row of orange crescents within a black band on the hindwing margin.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings extensively marked with black. The forewings have a broad black apex and irregular black spots, while the hindwings feature a black marginal band with orange crescents.
