The Pearl Crescent is one of the more common butterflies visiting open, sunny areas in North America. It gets its name from a pearl-colored crescent shape on the underside of its hind wing, outlined in black. This butterfly can be hard to identify because it resembles several other butterflies and because the overall pattern on its wings can differ geographically and can change depending on the seasons. The cooler season of this butterfly usually has more markings and is a darker orange.

 

“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

 

Pearl Crescent Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Various Aster Plants

Nectar Plants:

• Swamp Milkweed
• Dogbane
• Asters
• Winter Cress
• Shepherd’s Needle