Green Nature

Phaon Crescent

picture of a Phaon Crescent butterfly


Phaon Crescents (Phyciodes phaon) are a Southern species that live and breed in areas where Frogfruit (the larval food) thrives.

The orange and black wing pattern, with the black spots on the bottom of the hindwing, makes them an easy species to confuse with other Phyciodes species. The lighter marks down the middle of the forewing are a good field identification clue.

Adults nectar on frogfruit and other flowers, often those growing close to the ground.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels