California Crescent
Phyciodes orseis W.H. Edwards, 1871
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is dark brown with orange-brown markings in distinct bands. Underside is yellow-orange with scattered reddish brown markings.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches (3.2 - 4.2 cm).
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.
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.
NCGR: 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.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 93 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 10, 2022
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 11, 2023
Observation date: Jun 16, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 16, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2021
Observation date: May 02, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 21, 2021
Observation date: May 02, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 21, 2021
Observation date: Apr 30, 2021
Submitted by: Dnewhall
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 10, 2021
Observation date: Aug 03, 2019
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: Aug 03, 2019
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: Jun 23, 2018
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 19, 2018
Observation date: Jun 26, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2016
Observation date: Jul 06, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Bruce O'Hara)
Region: Carson City County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 30, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ed Ballard)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 27, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 03, 1976
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ralph Wells)
Region: Douglas County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 26, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 14, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Mar 14, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Andrew Warren)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: May 26, 1984
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: May 20, 2011
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ray Stanford)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 10, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 07, 1964
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (David Bauer)
Region: Douglas County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jul 03, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (M. Rickard, JB Vernon)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 17, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. T. McBurney)
Region: Shasta County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
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