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