Size:
Wingspan is 1 - 1 1/2 inches.

Similar Species:
Silvery Checkerspot (larger)
Phaon Crescent (smaller and coastal)
Tawny Crescent (rare)
Gorgone Checkerspot (rare)
Northern Crescent (very rare)

Habitat:
Lawns, woodland edges, roadsides, power line cuts and adjacent open areas.

Range/Abundance:
Very common in the entire region.

Flight Period:
Adults fly from mid March until late November in three to five broods.

Larval Host Plants:
Asters Compositae family including Smooth Aster Aster laevis, White Heath Aster A. pilosus and Panicled Aster A. simplex to name a few.

Comments:
This is our most common crescent and it can be found underfoot about anywhere.

Generally in most of the region this will be the only orange crescent found during spring unless you are along the coast where the tiny Phaon Crescent can be found.

In May the larger and darker bordered Silvery Checkerspot shows up and could be confused with the Pearl Crescent.

Examples of spring and summer form specimens are shown at right showing a great deal of variability. Given all the variability I chose not to give pointers to identification marks on this species.

The top photo was taken in Durham Co., NC on August 18, 2002. The second photo was taken in Jones Co., NC during April of 2000. The third photo was taken in Columbus Co., NC on April 15, 2001. The bottom photo was taken in Calhoun Co., SC on October 25, 2002.

Start > Species List > True Brush-foots