Crescent
Guides
Anthanassa
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Chlosyne melitaeoides
Red-spotted Patch
Chlosyne melitaeoides, commonly known as the red-spotted patch, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a group that includes crescents, checkerspots, and anglewings. The species was originally described by Felder & Felder in 1867 under the basionym Synchloe melitaeoides. It carries the MONA/Hodges number 4501.1.
Phyciodes
crescents, crescent spots
Phyciodes is a genus of butterflies in the brush-footed family Nymphalidae, commonly known as crescents or crescent spots. These small to medium-sized butterflies are characterized by orange and black wing patterns with distinctive crescent-shaped markings on the hindwings. The genus includes approximately 20 species distributed across North America, with larvae that typically feed on plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly asters and thistles. Several species have experienced regional population declines attributed to climate change and pesticide use.
Phyciodes graphica
Vesta Crescent
Phyciodes graphica, commonly known as the vesta crescent, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a subspecies of Phyciodes vesta (P. vesta graphica) in some taxonomic treatments, though it has historically been treated as a distinct species. The vesta crescent belongs to a group of small to medium-sized butterflies known as crescents and checkerspots, characterized by their orange and black patterned wings.
Phyciodes phaon
Phaon crescent, mat plant crescent, crescent spot
Phyciodes phaon is a small brush-footed butterfly of the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and extending west to New Mexico. Adults are active from early spring through late fall in northern portions of the range, with nearly year-round activity in peninsular Florida. The species is closely associated with fogfruit host plants (Phyla nodiflora), on which females lay eggs in clusters on leaf undersides. Males patrol open areas near host plants to locate females, with mating concentrated at mid-day.
Phyciodes picta
Painted Crescent
Phyciodes picta, the painted crescent, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the tribe Melitaeini, which includes crescents and checkerspots. The species is distributed across North America and is recognized by its distinctive wing patterns. Three subspecies have been described: P. p. picta, P. p. canace, and P. p. pallescens.
Phyciodes tharos
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos, commonly known as the Pearl Crescent, is a small brush-footed butterfly native to North America. It is one of the most widespread and abundant crescent butterflies, occurring from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico. The species is notable for its variable wing patterns and its ecological flexibility, thriving in disturbed and open habitats. Populations in warmer southern regions may produce up to six generations annually, while northern populations typically have fewer broods.