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| Pearl Crescent |
Latin
Name: Phyciodes tharos |
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Genus: Phyciodes Species: tharos |
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Comments: |
| The lovely tawny-orange Pearl Crescent is our most widespread and abundant crescent. It is seasonally variable, and spring and fall individuals are darker and more heavily patterned on the ventral hindwings. It is an opportunistic breeder, continually producing new generations as long as favorable conditions allow. It has a rapid, erratic flight. Males perch on low vegetation with wings outstretched and frequently patrol for females. Freshly emerged males often gather at moist ground. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
green, laid in clusters on the underside of host leaves |
Larva: |
dark brown to charcoal with lateral cream stripes and numerous short, branched spines |
Host Plants: |
various asters including Frost Aster and Bushy Aster |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
various asters including Frost Aster and Bushy Aster |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
open, sunny locations including roadsides, old fields, utility easements, forest edges and gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
.9 - 1.2 |
Centimeters: |
2.3 - 3 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar, although female has increased black markings |
Compare: |
Phaon Crescent has yellow-orange postmedian forewing band and lighter ventral hindwing coloration. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- orange with dark bands, spots and wing borders
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Below:
- seasonally variable; light brownish orange with brown markings; winter-form has increased dark coloration and pattern elements
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Abundance: |
occasional to common |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
