Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta (W.H. Edwards, 1861)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is bright reddish orange with narrow dark markings. Lacks the prominent black inner marginal spot of Phyciodes pallidus. Underside is yellow-orange with somewhat blurry rusty orange markings.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Males perch or patrol all day near host plants for females. Eggs are deposited on underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Young caterpillars may live in a small silken nest; partially-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: Two broods in the north from April-September, several in the south from February-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Native thistles (Cirsium), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and European thistles (Carduus).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: From sea level to 8000 feet in mountains, fields, meadows, roads, vacant lots, parks, and fencerows.
Range: Southern British Columbia southeast through the Rocky Mountain region to Mexico; south to Washington, Oregon, and California.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1062 verified sightings
Observation date: Nov 10, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 13, 2025
Observation date: Nov 05, 2025
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Nov 06, 2025
Observation date: Aug 30, 2007
Submitted by: hank4044
Region: Lake County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 04, 2025
Observation date: Oct 06, 2025
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 13, 2025
Observation date: Oct 02, 2025
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 11, 2025
Observation date: Aug 29, 2025
Submitted by: Sophia Reyes
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 31, 2025
Observation date: Aug 09, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Lake County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 30, 2025
Observation date: Apr 09, 2025
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Inyo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 21, 2025
Observation date: Aug 17, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2025
Observation date: Aug 17, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2025
Observation date: Jul 22, 2025
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Benton County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 18, 2025
Observation date: Aug 12, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 13, 2025
Observation date: Aug 04, 2025
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 05, 2025
Observation date: Jul 30, 2025
Submitted by: kent fickett
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 30, 2025
Observation date: Jul 22, 2025
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 29, 2025
Observation date: Jun 19, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2025
Observation date: Jun 16, 2025
Submitted by: Martin Neil UK
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 13, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 12, 2025
Submitted by: Reneerob17
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 14, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: Sophia Reyes
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 12, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 12, 2025
Observation date: Jun 07, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 08, 2025
Observation date: May 31, 2025
Submitted by: chneal
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 31, 2025
Observation date: Sep 26, 1985
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 27, 2025
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