Phaon Crescent
Phyciodes phaon (W.H. Edwards, 1864)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Forewing is dark orange and black with a pale cream median band. Underside of hindwing is cream to yellowish; spring and fall butterflies (form marcia) have a gray hindwing.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Males patrol during daytime near the host plant. Eggs are laid in small groups on underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves.
Flight: Many broods southern Florida; February-October in California; April-September in New Mexico.
Caterpillar Hosts: Fogfruit (Lippia lanceolata) and mat grass (Lippia nodiflora) in the verbena family.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers of Lippia and composites including shepherd's needle.
Habitat: Openings in thorn forest, open areas with closely cropped plants, dunes, pastures, road edges.
Range: Guatemala north through Cuba and Mexico to southern California, east through South Texas and Florida to coastal South Carolina. Strays to eastern Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.
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 25 - 48 of 1174 verified sightings
Observation date: May 02, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Kleberg County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 04, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 25, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 25, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 26, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 08, 2024
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: Logan County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Apr 21, 2024
Observation date: Mar 03, 2024
Submitted by: pamelmmc
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 11, 2024
Observation date: Mar 23, 2024
Submitted by: kericson
Region: Dallas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 08, 2024
Observation date: Mar 11, 2024
Submitted by: Joceb2005
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 11, 2024
Observation date: Mar 10, 2024
Submitted by: KShell
Region: Dixie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 10, 2024
Observation date: Mar 10, 2024
Submitted by: KShell
Region: Dixie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 10, 2024
Observation date: Oct 06, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Eddy County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 19, 2024
Observation date: Feb 03, 2024
Submitted by: marilynne
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 05, 2024
Observation date: Jan 04, 2024
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 05, 2024
Observation date: Dec 11, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 23, 2023
Observation date: Dec 05, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 05, 2023
Observation date: Oct 14, 2023
Submitted by: kericson
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 08, 2023
Observation date: Sep 13, 2023
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 13, 2023
Observation date: Sep 02, 2023
Submitted by: ridgeboy
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 05, 2023
Observation date: Feb 24, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 24, 2023
Observation date: Apr 15, 2023
Submitted by: jthompson6112
Region: Manatee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 18, 2023
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