Species Details
Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameField Crescent
SeasonalityOne yearly flight, generally peaking in July, dedpending on elevation and snowpack.
IdentificationOur darkest crescent, the upperside is mostly brown-black unlike the others. The median line on the dorsal forewing is always thick and black, not broken with orange. Occurs only in the foothills and mountain region.
Other names that have been applied to this species include campestris (Behr) and pulchellus (= pulchella) (Boisduval); see Scott (1994) and Layberry et al. (1998) for discussion on name usage. Our populations are susbspecies owimba (Scott 1998).
Scientific Name
Phyciodes pratensis
Common Name
Field Crescent
Habitat
Clearings and meadows of the mountain and foothills region.
Seasonality
One yearly flight, generally peaking in July, dedpending on elevation and snowpack.
Identification
Our darkest crescent, the upperside is mostly brown-black unlike the others. The median line on the dorsal forewing is always thick and black, not broken with orange. Occurs only in the foothills and mountain…
Our darkest crescent, the upperside is mostly brown-black unlike the others. The median line on the dorsal forewing is always thick and black, not broken with orange. Occurs only in the foothills and mountain region.
Other names that have been applied to this species include campestris (Behr) and pulchellus (= pulchella) (Boisduval); see Scott (1994) and Layberry et al. (1998) for discussion on name usage. Our populations are susbspecies owimba (Scott 1998).
Life History
The pale green eggs are laid in clusters on leaf undersides. Larvae are brown with spines and black stripes, and overwinter in the fourth instar (Scott 1994).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Adults nectar at a variety of composites (Asteraceae), particularly asters and ragwort (Bird et al. 1995). In BC and the US, larvae feed on the leaves of asters (Aster spp.) (Scott 1994, Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Range
A western mountain species, found from Alaska south to Mexico (Scott 1986).
Citation
Page Citation for Phyciodes pratensis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Phyciodes pratensis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2804. Accessed 08 May. 2024.
References
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Scott, J.A.
Title
Biology and Systematics of Phyciodes.
Publication Date
1994
Series Title
Papilio (New Series)
Volume
7
Pages
1-120
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Scott, J. A.
Title
The Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date
1986
Pages
583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 37 specimens of this Species.
UASM7446 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByWolley-Dod, Frederic H.
Date Collected1895-07-07
UASM7447 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-21
UASM7448 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park
Date Collected1923-08-01
UASM7449 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Fitzhugh
Date Collected1912-06-15
UASM7450 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Fitzhugh
Date Collected1912-06-20
UASM7451 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Fitzhugh
Date Collected1912-06-09
UASM7452 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-21
UASM7453 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-21
UASM7454 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1916-07-20
UASM7455 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1916-07-15
UASM7456 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-25
UASM7457 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-27
UASM7458 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-14
UASM7459 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-07-14
UASM7460 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-06-25
UASM7461 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-15
UASM7462 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-21
UASM7463 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-07-24
UASM7464 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park
Collected ByStrickland, Edgar H.
Date Collected1923-07-08
UASM7465 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-07-23
UASM7466 - Phyciodes pratensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-06-24