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Species Detail
California Crescent
Phyciodes orseis W.H. Edwards, 1871
Attributes of Phyciodes orseisFamily: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: True Brushfoots (Nymphalinae) Identification: Upperside is dark brown with orange-brown markings in distinct bands. Underside is yellow-orange with scattered reddish brown markings. Life history: Males perch along creeks and in valleys to find females. Eggs are laid in large batches under host plant leaves, which the caterpillars eat. Third-stage caterpillars hibernate. Flight: One brood from May-June. Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches (3.2 - 4.2 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Thistles (Cirsium species) in the sunflower family. Adult food: Flower nectar. Habitat: Mountain valleys, meadows, stream canyons. Range: Southern Oregon south along the Pacific coast to San Francisco; northern and central Sierra Nevada; western Nevada. Conservation: Possibly extirpated in California coast ranges; species should be monitored wherever it occurs. NatureServe Global Status: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range). Management needs: Maintain habitat integrity, host plant colonies, and nectar sources. | Documented Records for Phyciodes orseis
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