Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is orange and black. Underside of forewing is yellow-brown with a yellow bar at the cell and small black patches on the inner margin. Underside of hindwing is yellow-brown with rusty markings.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 3/4 inches (2.5 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Males patrol just above vegetation during the day. Females lay eggs in large batches on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves; young ones sometimes live in a loose web. Partially-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One flight from June-August in the mountains and far north, two flights from May-September on plains, three or four flights from April-October in lowland California.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various asters (Aster and Machaeranthera species).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Flats and open areas, fields, meadows, and streamsides from plains to mountains.
Range: Central Alaska and northern Canada south to southern California, southern Arizona, and southern New Mexico; east to the western edge of the Great Plains.
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. Note:Formerly referred to as Phyciodes campestris. Recently referred to as Phyciodes pulchellus, possibly erroneously.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1011 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 14, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Nov 09, 2024
Observation date: Sep 17, 2024
Submitted by: Dogoszhi
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 29, 2024
Observation date: Sep 24, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 29, 2024
Observation date: Jun 10, 2020
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 15, 2024
Observation date: Aug 03, 2024
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Douglas County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 15, 2024
Observation date: Aug 17, 2024
Submitted by: taogirl
Region: Delta County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 13, 2024
Observation date: Aug 04, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 07, 2024
Observation date: Aug 30, 2024
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 04, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 23, 2024
Observation date: Aug 10, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 15, 2024
Observation date: Aug 07, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 07, 2024
Observation date: Sep 26, 2023
Submitted by: Palaback
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 25, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 28, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 22, 2024
Observation date: Jul 08, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 16, 2024
Observation date: Jul 04, 2024
Submitted by: merops
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 16, 2024
Observation date: Jul 10, 2024
Submitted by: matt7882
Region: Whatcom County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 19, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 04, 2024
Observation date: May 14, 2024
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: White Pine County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: May 23, 2023
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
Observation date: Jun 09, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
Observation date: Jun 21, 2024
Submitted by: SMulhearn
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
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