Phaon Crescent

Phyciodes phaon

The Phaon Crescent can be found everywhere in Texas except the panhandle.

Its distinguishing feature is a cream band on the upper forewing which helps set it apart from the similar sized Pearl Crescent. In West Texas, the cream bands make it difficult to distinguish from the Painted Crescent, though the undersides of the wings are quite different for the two species.

In the Houston area, I find the Phaon Crescent in fields, near marshes, and in prairie reclamation areas. It feeds upon small flowers like frogruit blossoms.