Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos (Drury, 1773)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Quite variable. Males usually have black antennal knobs. Upperside is orange with black borders; postmedian and submarginal areas are crossed by fine black marks. Underside of hindwing has a dark marginal patch containing a light-colored crescent. Spring and fall broods (form marcia) have a gray mottled hindwing below.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid in small batches on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and are gregarious when young. Hibernation is by third-stage caterpillars.
Flight: Several broods; from April-November in the north, throughout the year in the Deep South and Mexico.
Caterpillar Hosts: Several species of smooth-leaved true asters including Aster pilosus, A. texanus, and A. laevis.
Adult Food: Nectar from a great variety of flowers including dogbane, swamp milkweed, shepherd's needle, asters, and winter cress.
Habitat: Open areas such as pastures, road edges, vacant lots, fields, open pine woods.
Range: Southeastern Alberta south through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California to Mexico; east to southern Ontario and all the eastern United States.
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 457 - 480 of 14774 verified sightings
Observation date: May 25, 2023
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jun 02, 2023
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jun 02, 2023
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jun 02, 2023
Observation date: Jun 02, 2006
Submitted by: Russ Wigh
Region: Macon County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: May 28, 2023
Observation date: May 21, 2023
Submitted by: KABerry
Region: Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: May 26, 2023
Observation date: May 15, 2023
Submitted by: mtobin11
Region: Lake County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 22, 2023
Observation date: Sep 30, 2022
Submitted by: Barometz
Region: Boone County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: May 18, 2023
Observation date: May 12, 2023
Submitted by: Janet Ruth
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 13, 2023
Observation date: May 09, 2023
Submitted by: Ohio97
Region: Warren County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: Ohio97
Verified date: May 09, 2023
Observation date: Apr 05, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: Benton County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 07, 2023
Observation date: May 06, 2023
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Brazoria County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 07, 2023
Observation date: Apr 22, 2023
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 30, 2023
Observation date: Apr 20, 2023
Submitted by: Eric Hartshaw
Region: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Apr 27, 2023
Observation date: Apr 25, 2023
Submitted by: Ken Cheeks
Region: McCormick County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 27, 2023
Observation date: Apr 22, 2023
Submitted by: Ken Cheeks
Region: McCormick County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 26, 2023
Observation date: Apr 19, 2023
Submitted by: Mapper
Region: Pulaski County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Apr 21, 2023
Observation date: Apr 18, 2023
Submitted by: cindy.simpson@n...
Region: Durham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 20, 2023
Observation date: Apr 18, 2023
Submitted by: Mapper
Region: Johnson County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Apr 19, 2023
Observation date: Apr 11, 2023
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Apr 18, 2023
Observation date: Apr 13, 2023
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Apr 14, 2023
Observation date: Apr 02, 2023
Submitted by: John Gibbons
Region: Levy County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 07, 2023
Observation date: Apr 01, 2023
Submitted by: ButterBelle
Region: Putnam County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Apr 07, 2023
Observation date: Sep 10, 2022
Submitted by: hockeybruce7
Region: Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Mar 31, 2023
Observation date: Sep 10, 2022
Submitted by: hockeybruce7
Region: Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Mar 31, 2023
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