Pearl Crescent
Common NamePearl Crescent
Scientific NamePhyciodes tharos
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, open woodlands, roadsides, gardens
Geographic RangeNorth America (southern Canada to Mexico)
Host PlantsAsters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of host plant leaves. Larvae are spiny, dark with yellow markings, and feed communally. Pupae are mottled brown and cream, often suspended from host plants.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, bright orange and black pattern, and the prominent black crescent on the hindwing margin. Can be distinguished from similar crescents by the specific pattern of black markings and the distinct crescent.
Description
A small, vibrant orange butterfly with intricate black markings on its upperside, including a distinctive black crescent mark on the hindwing margin. The underside is typically mottled brown and orange.
