Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Black Crescent
Anthanassa ptolyca (H.W. Bates, 1864)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is black with wide yellow markings. Underside of forewing with narrow yellow or white marginal patch.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid in clusters on the host plants; caterpillars feed in groups.
Flight: December in South Texas; many flights throughout the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Not reported.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical lowland fields and pastures.
Range: Venezuela north through Central America to Mexico. A rare stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for rare stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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