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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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 12, 2016
Submitted by: BeaLaporte
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 12, 2022
Observation date: Mar 16, 2013
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 08, 2019
Observation date: Feb 05, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Morelos, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 07, 2014
Observation date: Jun 04, 2012
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Francisco Morazán, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jun 04, 2012
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004