Mylitta Crescent

Phyciodes mylitta

Photographed by Mike Plagens along Sycamore Creek in the Pine Mountain Wilderness, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA. 07 June 2009. This one is seeking nectar from flowers of Horehound.

Mylitta Crescent is common in the higher elevations (> 1500 m.) of Arizona's sycamore gallery woodlands by April/May and may be found through the summer. The base color of the upperside of wings is nearly uniform orange behind narrow black borders and markings. Small in size having a wing span of 3 to 4 cm. The caterpillars use various thistle species as their host plant where the female butterfly has carefully laid her eggs.

Nymphalidae -- Brush-footed Butterfly Family

More Information:

• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• Bugguide - Iowa State University
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search