Genus Phyciodes Doubleday (the Crescent-spots)
Usually quite small butterflies, the species found in our region being some shade of fulvous or reddish, above with dark markings, which are less distinctly reproduced on the paler under side of the wings. Of the spots on the under side the most characteristic is the crescent between the ends of the second and third median nervules. This, when present, is pearly white or silvery in color. Structurally these insects differ most markedly from the preceding genus in the enlarged second and the fine very sharp third joint of the palpi. Eggs higher than wide, slightly ribbed on top, pitted below, giving them a thimble-like appearance. Caterpillars cylindrical, with rows of short tubercles, much shorter than the spines in Melitæa, dark in color, marked with paler longitudinal stripes. Chrysalis with head slightly bifid, generally pale in color, blotched with brown.
Numerous species occur in Central and South America, but only about a dozen in the United States and Canada, most of them in the Southwestern States.
(1) Phyciodes nycteis Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XXI, Fig. 2, ♂ (Nycteis).
Easily mistaken on the wing for Melitæa harrisi, which it closely resembles on the upper side, and with which it is often found flying, but an examination of the under side at once reveals the difference. The redder fore wings, paler hind wings, and the crescent on the lower outer border of these are marks which cannot be mistaken. Expanse ♂, 1.25-1.65 inch; ♀, 1.65-2.00 inches.
Ranges from Maine to the Carolinas and westward to the Rocky Mountains.
(2) Phyciodes tharos (Drury), Plate XXII, Fig. 1, ♂. Variety marcia Edwards, Plate XXII, Fig. 2, ♂ (The Pearl Crescent).
A very common little butterfly, which everybody must have noticed in late spring or early summer flitting about lawns and gardens, and in fall abounding upon clumps of asters. It may easily be recognized from the figures given. Expanse from 1.25-1.65 inch. The variety marcia comes from larvæ which have hibernated during the winter, and is lighter and brighter in color, especially beneath, than butterflies of the later summer and fall broods.
Eggs laid on asters and related plants; greenish yellow. Matured caterpillar dark brown, dotted on the back with yellow; adorned with short, bristly, black spines, yellow at base. Chrysalis pale gray, blotched with spots of brown.
Ranges from southern Labrador to Florida and westward to the Pacific Coast.
(3) Phyciodes batesi (Reakirt), Plate XXII, Fig. 3, ♂, upper side; Fig. 4, under side, ♀ (Bates’ Crescent-spot).
Above closely resembling P. tharos, but with the dark markings much heavier; below hind wings quite uniformly pale yellowish fulvous, with a row of very pale marginal crescents; ends of veins tipped with brown. Expanse 1.25-1.65 inch.
Ranges from New England to Virginia and westward to the Mississippi.
(4) Phyciodes pratensis (Behr), Plate XXIII, Fig. 1, ♂ (The Meadow Crescent).
Closely resembling the preceding, but fore wings not as curved on the costal margin, and relatively longer and narrower; the pale markings more whitish, not so red, and more clearly defined. On the under side, especially in the female, the markings are heavier than in P. batesi. Expanse 1.15-1.40 inch.
Ranges from Oregon to southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
(5) Phyciodes camillus Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 2, ♂, under side (The Camillus Crescent).
Resembling P. pratensis, but the pale spots on fore wings paler, and on hind wings brighter fulvous. Below the dark markings not nearly so pronounced as in P. pratensis. Expanse 1.3-1.6 inch.
Ranges from British Columbia to Colorado and Kansas and south into Texas.
(6) Phyciodes picta Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 3, ♀, under side (The Painted Crescent).
Below fore wings red on median area, with base, costa, apex, and outer margin pale yellow. The dark spots on this wing stand out prominently. Hind wings nearly uniformly bright yellow. Expanse 0.8-1.25 inch.
Ranges from Nebraska as far as Mexico. The larvæ feed on asters.