The Phaon Crescent is a small butterfly with dark orange and brown checkered forewings, accented by a distinctive band of pale cream across the middle. This pale band is also visible on the underside of the wings, which feature a softer palette of orange, tan, and dark brown. While similar in pattern to the upperside, the underside is noticeably lighter. The Phaon Crescent is most commonly found in West Tennessee, where it frequents open, sunny areas with low-growing vegetation.

 

“Phaon Crescent” by Theo Arnold, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Phaon Crescent Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 – 1 1/2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Openings in thorn forests, open areas with closely cropped plants, dunes, pastures, and road edges

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

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

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)