White-dotted Crescent
Common NameWhite-dotted Crescent
Scientific NamePhyciodes nycteis
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, meadows, prairies, roadsides, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern and central North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico
Host PlantsAster species, New England aster
Flight PeriodMay to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on host plant leaves. Larvae are spiny and feed on aster species, overwintering as third instar larvae. Pupae are mottled brown.
Identification TipsLook for the orange and black checkered upperwings and the characteristic row of white dots on the underside of the hindwing margin.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly with an orange and black checkered pattern on its wings. The underside of the hindwing features a distinctive row of white dots along the margin.
