Other Common Names
Nycteis crescent, Streamside Checkerspot
(1)Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chlosyne nycteis (
Doubleday, 1847)
Identification
Compared to similar species (such as Pearl Cresecnt), note large white spot/band in median of underside of hindwing, dark tip of and edge of upper forewing
(1) (2).
Caterpillars are nearly black, dusted with tiny white spots. May have a broad yellow to orange stripe or two thinner stripes along each side. Branched spines,typical of this family.
Range
Southern Canada south to Georgia and Texas but absent from much of the Southeastern Coastal Plain
(3)Habitat
steamsides, moist meadows, and open moist deciduous woods
(1)Season
June-July in northern part of range; March-September in Texas
(1)Food
Larvae feed on members of the Asteraceae (daisy family) - especially Wingstem (Verbesina) and Sunflower (Helianthus), but also Aster and Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).
Life Cycle
One flight (June-July) in northern part of range, but two or more southward. Overwinters as a third-instar larva, in a "special reddish-brown skin"
(1).
Print References
Scott, #219, p. 304, plates 1 (egg), 3 (larva), 29 (adult)
(1)
Glassberg, p. 110, plate 30
(2)
Brock and Kaufman, pp. 184-185
(4)
