The Pearl Crescent is one of the most common butterflies found in open, sunny areas across North America. It gets its name from the small, pearl-colored crescent on the underside of its hindwing, bordered in black. Identification can be tricky, as the Pearl Crescent closely resembles several other species, and its wing patterns vary both geographically and seasonally. Butterflies seen during the cooler months tend to have more pronounced markings and a deeper, richer orange coloration.

 

“Pearl Crescent Butterfly” by Kevin Bowman, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Pearl Crescent Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 1/4 – 1 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open areas such as pastures, road edges, vacant lots, fields, and open pine woods

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where Pearl Crescent females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Pearl Crescent butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

• Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)