Phyciodes mylitta

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Mylitta crescent
Phyciodes mylitta (Mylitta Crescent) (7457420058).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Phyciodes
Species:
P. mylitta
Binomial name
Phyciodes mylitta
(W.H. Edwards, 1861)
Synonyms
  • Melitaea mylittaEdwards, 1861
  • Eresia mataReakirt, 1866
  • Phyciodes mylittusHiggins, 1981
  • Phyciodes pallidus

Phyciodes mylitta, the Mylitta crescent or Mylitta crescentspot, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in western North America.

Contents

The wingspan is 26–37 mm. Wings are orange with black markings and white fringe on the edges. The females are darker than the males. [1] The butterfly flies from June until late July in Canada [2] and until fall in California. [1] It is found in a variety of habitats, and usually inhabits meadows and stream banks in forested areas. [3]

The larvae are black with spines and white markings. [1] They feed on Cirsium and Carduus species. [2] Adults feed on flower nectar. [3]

Subspecies

Listed alphabetically: [4]

Similar species

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Will, Kip; Gross, Joyce; Rubinoff, Daniel; Powell, Jerry A. (2020). Field Guide to California Insects. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 413. ISBN   9780520288744.
  2. 1 2 Mylitta Crescent, Butterflies of Canada
  3. 1 2 "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org.
  4. "Phyciodes Hübner, [1819]" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms