Species Page: Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)

Pale Crescent

Phyciodes pallida (W. H. Edwards, 1864)

Family: Nymphalidae

Status: Rare resident

NENHP Ranking: S1 Tier 2

Range: This species is found from southern British Columbia south through eastern Nevada and northern Arizona east through most of Wyoming and northwestern Colorado to the Nebraska panhandle. In Nebraska it has been found in Sioux and Dawes Counties.

Larval Hostplant(s): Larvae feed on thistle (Cirsium) species.

Broods/Flight Times: There is a single flight of the Pale Crescent in early June. There are records from June 9 and 10.

Overwintering: The Pale Crescent passes the winter as a partially grown caterpillar.

Habitat: Marone (2001) reports the species to prefer canyon bottoms, dry streambeds, foothills and grassy areas in dryer regions of the Black Hills in South Dakota.

Avg. Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 1 5/8 inches

Found at: Agate Fossil Beds NM

Similar Species: Other Crescents.

Notes:

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