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Crescent Butterfly

Phyciodes sp.

Photo by Small Wonders
Published on Project Noah
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42.9634, -85.6681

Field Notes

Description:

Possibly a third species that falls between the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and the Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta) but has not yet been defined. This possible third species has characteristics of both the Northern & the Pearl and other characteristics entirely of its own. Hopefully with further research this butterfly will one day be classified.

Habitat:

Northern U.S. into Canada; Open field, roadsides, rocky areas and woodland openings. Host Plant: Aster sp.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
KarenL
So you may have discovered a new species! How exciting!
Small Wonders
Thanks Karen! It has been looked at by experts and they have tentatively placed it under this "third possible species" for now. Without having the actual specimen, we may never know from just this photograph :(
KarenL
Very pretty! It looks like a Pearl Crescent - they can be quite variable in color. If you need confirmation on it's identity you may like to submit it as a spotting to butterfliesandmoths.org & they will give you a definitive id.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Great Lakes Monitoring

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 10, 2012

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