Phaon Crescent
Common NamePhaon Crescent
Scientific NamePhyciodes phaon
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyMelitaeinae
Wingspan (mm)32
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown
HabitatOpen, moist areas, fields, roadsides, stream banks, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSoutheastern United States, from Florida west to Texas and north to parts of Missouri and Kansas
Host PlantsPhyla nodiflora, Phyla lanceolata
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the host plant. Larvae are spiny and feed on the leaves, pupating into a chrysalis on or near the host plant. Multiple generations occur annually.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its intricate dorsal pattern of orange and dark brown. The ventral hindwing typically has a prominent pale crescent mark, which helps differentiate it from other crescent species, though not visible in this dorsal view.
Description
A small butterfly with a complex dorsal pattern of bright orange and dark brown/black patches. The hindwings often feature a row of dark spots within the orange band.
