Hodges#4481.1
Phyciodes cocyta
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Nymphalinae
- Tribe: Melitaeini
- Genus: Phyciodes
- Species: cocyta
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyciodes cocyta: //faɪˈsaɪəˌdiːz koʊˈsaɪtə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Phyciodes cocyta, known as the northern crescent, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae found in a variety of habitats across North America, primarily flying from June to July. It feeds on aster leaves during its larval stage and on nectar from various flowers as an adult, with a wingspan of 32-38 mm.
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan: 32–38 mm. Upperside orange-brown with dark borders, hindwing typically with broad open orange area. Male hindwing underside is orange (fading to tan) with a rusty brown patch surrounding a pale marginal crescent; female has a more developed dark pattern with a paler underside on hindwing.
Identification Tips
Distinguished from P. batesii by the orange apices of the antennal clubs and the dark or whitish coloring in the apical region of the underside front wing; P. cocyta has much more orange than P. batesii.
Habitat
Moist open areas in rocky places, wooded streams, marsh edges, shale barrens, abandoned city lots, mountain meadows - practically any (usually moist) sunny area where asters grow.
Distribution
From Newfoundland and Nunavut to Yukon Territory, south in the western mountains to Utah, southeast Arizona, and southern New Mexico; South in the Appalachians to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Diet
Larvae feed on leaves of Asteraceae (asters). Adults feed on nectar from dogbane, fleabane, and white clover.
Life Cycle
Adults fly in spring or early summer, from June to mid-July in most regions; a partial second brood may appear in early September.
Reproduction
Eggs are laid in bunches of about 40 on the underside of host plant leaves. Young larvae feed communally.
Ecosystem Role
Pollinator in its habitat, feeding on nectar from various flowering plants.
Evolution
Formerly called Phyciodes selenis; considered as belonging to the same species as P. cocyta. Current literature treats certain subspecies under P. batesii.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Identification of this species can be problematic and uncertain, even among experts, due to resemblance with closely related species.
Tags
- butterfly
- Nymphalidae
- Phyciodes cocyta
- ecology