New Jersey Butterfly Club

Pearl Crescent

Phyciodes tharos

Identification: Very small—1.3". Above: FW and HW orange with black netlike pattern (more pronounced in the female), dark margins, and a row of black submarginal dots on the HW. Band across mid-FW may be yellowish in the female. Below: FW and HW orange-yellow with dark patches. HW mostly pale orange with a variable amount of narrow dark veining. Markings variable (see photos). Intensity of markings in both wings varies with season, sex, and individual. Both sexes have a pearly, crescent-shaped mark usually set into a darkish patch along the HW margin. Other: Extreme tips of antennal clubs are black in the male (often with a small pale or orange mark inward of the tip), orange in the female. Females generally larger than males.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Common and widespread throughout.

Habitat: Open, sunny, upland fields and meadows. Attracted to gardens with orange, yellow, and white flowers.

Flight Period: Usually three broods, flying early April into June, late June into mid-August, and late August into November. Extreme dates: North Jersey 3/26—11/15; South Jersey 3/19—11/21.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Asters (Symphyotrichum, formerly Aster).

Overwintering Stage: Caterpillar.

Good Locations: Just about everywhere.

Comments: Shortly after emergence, Pearl Crescents sometimes congregate in large numbers near puddles. Within a day or two, however, most disperse into fields to nectar and mate.