Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Crescents (Genus Phyciodes)

-Mexican Crescent (Phyciodes pallescens)

Phyciodes pallescens, commonly known as the Mexican Crescent, is a small butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the crescent group, which are known for their orange-and-brown patterned wings and low, active flight. Adults are often seen perching on low vegetation or visiting flowers, and they may also feed on moisture from soil. The caterpillars feed on plants in the aster family (Asteraceae).

Diet

Caterpillars feed on plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Adults visit a variety of small flowers for nectar.

Range

Phyciodes pallescens is endemic to Mexico, with its range extending from western and central Mexico southward through Guerrero and Oaxaca. It also occurs farther north into eastern Mexico and has occasionally reached the southern United States.

Guerrero is well within its range, and the species occurs in the Zihua area. Habitat

It occurs in open woodland, tropical dry forest, forest edges, clearings, grassland, scrub and disturbed areas.
It can occupy both relatively dry lowland environments and more temperate upland habitats.
In the Zihua area, sunny openings and edges of tropical dry forest provide suitable habitat.

Description

A small to medium-sized crescent, with a wingspan of approximately 32–42 mm.
The upper surface is orange-brown with a complex network of dark brown to black markings typical of Phyciodes.
The forewing has orange ground colour interrupted by dark transverse lines and spots, while the hindwing has a more extensive dark lattice pattern.
The underside is paler, with orange, yellow, cream and brown markings. The hindwing underside has a distinctive mottled pattern with pale spots and darker lines.