pearl crescent | skymeadows

IDENTIFICATION: Quite variable. Males usually have black antennal
knobs. Upperside is orange with black borders; postmedian and
submarginal areas are crossed by fine black marks. Underside of
hindwing has a dark marginal patch containing a light-colored crescent.
Spring and fall broods (form marcia) have a gray mottled hindwing below.

LIFE HISTORY: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid in small
batches on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and are
gregarious when young. Hibernation is by third-stage caterpillars.

FLIGHT: Several broods; from April-November in the north, throughout
the year in the Deep South and Mexico.

WING SPAN: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).

CATERPILLAR HOSTS: Several species of smooth-leaved true asters
including Aster pilosus, Aster texanus, and Aster laevis.

ADULT FOOD: Nectar from a great variety of flowers including dogbane,
swamp milkweed, shepherd's needle, asters, and winter cress.

HABITAT: Open areas such as pastures, road edges, vacant lots, fields,
open pine woods.

RANGE: Southeastern Alberta south through Montana, Wyoming,
Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California to Mexico;
east to southern Ontario and all the eastern United States.

CONSERVATION: Not usually required.

NATURESERVE GLOBAL STATUS: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally,
though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the
periphery.

MANAGEMENT NEEDS: None reported.

SKY MEADOWS OCCURRENCE:

Note: Due to seasonal conditions in this region, occurrence may vary from

year to year. The designation of occurrence may range over two or more

categories and may vary even during a single season.

Key to Checklist

A   Abundant: Easy to see very large numbers of individuals in appropriate habitat
      at proper time of year.
C   Common: Usually each to see good numbers of individuals in appropriate habitat
      at proper time of year.
U   Uncommon: Sometimes found in appropriate habitat and proper time of year,
      usually in low numbers.
O   Occasional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times a year, usually
      in low numbers.
R   Rare: Small chance of being found, even in appropriate habitat at proper time of
      year. There are few individuals and may not be present every year.
X   Extirpated: Formerly present, no longer occurs in Sky Meadows Park.