ExploreInsects

Field Crescent

Phyciodes pulchella

The Field Crescent is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around in sunny fields and gardens, bringing joy to everyone who sees it.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Field Crescent is a small to medium butterfly with vibrant orange wings bordered and patterned with black lines and spots. Its underside is mottled with oranges, browns, and creams, often featuring a distinct white crescent mark on the hindwing. This pattern helps it blend into bark and dried leaves.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusPhyciodes
Field Crescent
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Field Crescent

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Did you know its caterpillars are spiky to ward off hungry birds? Wow!

Some Field Crescents fly hundreds of miles to new homes during their lives! Wow!

These butterflies are called 'brush-footed' for tiny hair brushes on their front legs! Wow!

They taste with their feet to find the perfect plants for laying their eggs! Wow!

Special abilities

Ability

Patterned Camouflage

Field Crescent has intricate wing patterns that help them blend into their surroundings when resting on plants or bark.

Ability

Nectar Siphon

Field Crescent can unfurl a long, straw-like proboscis to sip sweet nectar deep from various flowers with ease.

Ability

Rapid Lifecycle

Field Crescent can develop quickly from egg to adult, allowing for multiple generations within a single warm season.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-40 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
7-21 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This butterfly sips nectar from flowers for energy, while its caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • Asteraceae leaves
  • aster flowers
  • goldenrod flowers
  • thistle flowers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Field Crescent's wingspan?

25-40 mm

How big is Field Crescent?

15-20 mm

How long does Field Crescent live?

7-21 days

How fast can Field Crescent fly?

15 km/h

What does Field Crescent eat?

This butterfly sips nectar from flowers for energy, while its caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Where is Field Crescent usually found?

Grasslands

How does Field Crescent hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Field Crescent have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects