# Mylitta Crescent (*phyciodes mylitta*) The Mylitta Crescent butterfly has beautiful orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around flowers, sipping sweet nectar! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Meadows, open fields, and gardens. - **Also known as:** Crescent Butterfly, Mylitta Butterfly, Orange Crescent ![Mylitta Crescent](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phyciodes_mylitta_%28Mylitta_Crescent%29_%287457420058%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Silversyrpher (very busy at the moment) from Scotland, UK, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phyciodes_mylitta_%28Mylitta_Crescent%29_%287457420058%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Mylitta Crescent is a small butterfly with rich orange-brown upper wings, featuring dark borders and intricate black markings. Its underside displays a unique pale yellowish-orange patch on the hindwing, often with a distinctive silvery or pearly crescent-shaped spot. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Eresia ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are super picky eaters, only munching on thistle leaves! - The 'crescent' in its name comes from a tiny, moon-shaped mark on its underwing! - These speedy little butterflies help flowers grow by carrying tiny pollen grains! - You might spot them fluttering in sunny fields, even high up in the mountains! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Wings:** Mylitta Crescent has patterned undersides that help them blend into foliage when resting, protecting them from predators. - **Host Plant Finder:** Mylitta Crescent can detect specific thistle host plants by smell, ensuring their caterpillars have the right food to grow. - **Sunshine Soaker:** Mylitta Crescent has dark wing scales that absorb sunlight, giving them energy to fly on cool days. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-18 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from various flowers, while caterpillars feast exclusively on thistle plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat thistle leaves, while adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Thistle leaves, Aster nectar, Clover nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Spear Thistle (*Cirsium vulgare*) — Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves for survival and growth. - **Eats:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Birds like jays may prey on adult butterflies and their caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [New England Aster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-england-aster) (*Symphyotrichum novae-angliae*) — Adults visit aster flowers for nectar, helping in their reproduction. - **Hunts:** Western Yellowjacket (*Vespula pensylvanica*) — Wasps may hunt and feed on Mylitta Crescent caterpillars as prey. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mylitta Crescent? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Mylitta Crescent's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Mylitta Crescent? 15-20 mm ### How long does Mylitta Crescent live? 10-18 days ### How fast can Mylitta Crescent fly? 15 km/h ### What does Mylitta Crescent eat? Adults sip nectar from various flowers, while caterpillars feast exclusively on thistle plants. ### Where is Mylitta Crescent usually found? Meadows, open fields, and gardens. ### How does Mylitta Crescent hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/childs-irving-hydroelectric-facilities) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jasper-ridge-biological-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Mylitta Crescent](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mylitta-crescent) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Mylitta Crescent: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mylitta-crescent)