Size
Averages slightly larger than Pearl Crescent.
Identification
Mimic Crescent is a recently described species that is similar to the common and widespread Pearl Crescent (P. tharos) and the Northern Crescent (P. cocyta) of the northern US/Canada. It is dubbed "Mimic" because its appearance mimics the Northern Crescent, while the mitochondrial DNA is more similar to that of Pearl Crescent. On average, they are slightly larger and have a higher, stronger flight than typical Pearl Crescent. Probably indistinguishable from Northern Crescent in the field, though Northern Crescent is not known to occur in the range of Mimic Crescent.
Identification criteria differ for males and females. Males can be recognized by their longer, more square-tipped abdomens. Females have shorter, more pointed abdomens.
Male Mimic Crescents have orange on the underside of the antennal club tips:
This, the relatively large size, and the rich fulvous color help to identify them. Pearl Crescent males generally have black antennal club tips -- they may show some orange on the antennal clubs, but not on the underside. The veins of the hindwing of Mimic Crescent tend to be orange, not black, through the median band of spots. In darker specimens, this is often limited to the middle vein that comes from the middle of the hindwing cell.
Females are more difficult to separate. Antennal club color of females is not known to differ between Pearl and Mimic. Besides the clues from size and flight style, females above are usually marked much like the males, female Pearl Crescents generally have a more contrasting pattern.
Range
So far, known only from the southern Appalachians. Described from Clay County, North Carolina, Mimic Crescent has been collected in two adjacent counties in the mountains of southern NC and photographed in three counties in the northern mountain region. The full range and abundance of this taxon has yet to be worked out.
Habitat
Small openings, road cuts, and woodland edges, mainly in middle (2,500-4,000 feet) elevations. The species occurs in dry
sites and appears to avoid wetlands, fields, and other cultivated/urban areas.
Season
Two broods: early May to late June or early July, and late July through September.
Food
Food plants are presumed to be asters.
Print References
The paper describing this new species. Click on the title for the pdf file:
