Northern Crescent - Phyciodes

Turns out there are a number of "weidos" from Illinois

There is a new category for the ones that are hard to classify here, and your two are enough odd to stick them here; if nothing else, so they are easier to find later. The one that looks male appears to have orange antenna tips, and that is supposed to be odd for P. tharos (though it is common in the West). I don't know if maybe this is all that is going on in Illinois or not.

Moved from Pearl Crescent.

… David J. Ferguson, 6 October, 2010 - 9:32pm

Moved

Moved from Northern Crescent.

… Steve Scott, 7 April, 2008 - 9:39pm

Phyciodes tharos I think

This looks like P. tharos to me, not P. cocyta. Also, I think it very unlikely that P. cocyta flies in Illinois (a decidedly northern creature it is), though I could be wrong. Also, this is a female, and the antennal clubs are often orange not just in P. cocyta, but also in females (and some males) of P. tharos.

… David J. Ferguson, 7 April, 2008 - 6:13pm

Probably right

You're probably right. To my knowledge there are unconfirmed records in southern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois, but nothing confirmed. I defer to your judgment.

… Jason D. Roberts, 7 April, 2008 - 6:20pm

Thanks

guys. I definitely have Pearl Cresents in my area. This is the only individual that came close to fitting the Northern.

… Steve Scott, 7 April, 2008 - 9:41pm

Agree

I would most likely lean in the direction of the Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta), given the range and the orange tipped antennal clubs of your specimen. Though the comments here in the guide in regard to Crescents, are certainly noteworthy. But I believe it'd be safe to move to species page if you choose.

… Jason D. Roberts, 25 April, 2006 - 4:27pm

Thanks

Without knowing the details of the design the tailor's apprentice set forth to complete the emporer's new clothes. The result was . . . the mess we call taxonomy, always in process, always pontifical, always invisible to the common man's eye. Or some such other obtuse exclamation of frustration.

… Steve Scott, 25 April, 2006 - 11:20pm