Colombian Crescent
Common NameColombian Crescent
Scientific NamePhyciodes graphica
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown, white
HabitatOpen fields, roadsides, disturbed areas, forest edges, often near host plants in arid and semi-arid regions.
Geographic RangeSouthern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico), Mexico, Central America, and northern South America (Colombia).
Host PlantsRagweed (Ambrosia spp.), Sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Other Asteraceae
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods, varies by region)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay eggs singly or in small clusters on host plants. Larvae are typically spiny and feed on leaves, undergoing several instars before pupating into a chrysalis. Multiple generations occur annually.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic checkered orange and black pattern on the upperside. On the underside, observe the specific arrangement of pale and dark markings, particularly the distinct pale crescent mark on the hindwing, which helps differentiate it from similar Phyciodes species.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly characterized by a complex checkered pattern of orange, black, and brown on its upperside, with a more intricate and often paler pattern on the underside, typically featuring a distinct crescent mark on the hindwing.
