Pale Crescent
Phyciodes pallida (W.H. Edwards, 1864)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is pale orange; dark markings are reduced, especially on hindwing. Forewing both above and below with dark spot at center of inner margin. Underside is yellow with red-brown markings; crescent on hindwing is white.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 5/8 inches (3.5 - 4.1 cm).
Life History: Males perch in canyons to wait for females; only rarely do they patrol ridges. Females lay eggs in large groups on underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves.
Flight: One flight from April-June.
Caterpillar Hosts: Thistles (Cirsium) in the sunflower family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Valleys, dry streambeds, dry fields.
Range: Central British Columbia southeast in the Rocky Mountains to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado; south to Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and northern Arizona.
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.
Comments: NULL
Alternate Scientific Names:
Phyciodes pallidus
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 174 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 31, 2024
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 15, 2024
Observation date: Sep 18, 2023
Submitted by: PONYRCR
Region: Custer County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 06, 2023
Observation date: Jul 20, 2018
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 08, 2023
Observation date: Jun 20, 2020
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 17, 2020
Observation date: May 31, 2020
Submitted by: kathy lichtendahl
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 01, 2020
Observation date: Jun 29, 2019
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 19, 2019
Observation date: Aug 04, 2019
Submitted by: Thomlinson
Region: Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Sep 16, 2019
Observation date: Jun 15, 2019
Submitted by: coloradonaturelovers
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jul 02, 2019
Observation date: Jun 14, 2018
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Washakie County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 21, 2018
Observation date: Aug 31, 2017
Submitted by: Aaron Hulsey
Region: Sioux County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: kking216
Verified date: Oct 24, 2017
Observation date: Nov 15, 2016
Submitted by: PBjork
Region: Pennington County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Oct 13, 2017
Observation date: May 30, 2016
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jun 01, 2016
Observation date: Jun 25, 2014
Submitted by: BCBirdman
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Apr 25, 2016
Observation date: Jun 22, 2005
Submitted by: nlb.birder
Region: Crook County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 07, 2016
Observation date: Jun 07, 2015
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Feb 11, 2016
Observation date: May 16, 2015
Submitted by: davidelwonger@m...
Region: Douglas County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 11, 2015
Observation date: Jun 07, 2015
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Aug 16, 2015
Observation date: Jun 03, 2014
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Big Horn County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 25, 2014
Observation date: Apr 19, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ray & Kit Stanford)
Region: Navajo County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 01, 2012
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 21, 2012
Observation date: Jul 08, 2010
Submitted by: pcastrovillo
Region: Valley County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Mar 20, 2012
Observation date: Jul 16, 2011
Submitted by: pcastrovillo
Region: Idaho County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Mar 12, 2012
Observation date: Jun 25, 2011
Submitted by: pcastrovillo
Region: Washington County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Feb 08, 2012
Observation date: Jul 15, 1964
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (unknown)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
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