| Pearl Crescent is abundant in N.C. and often overlooked because it's so common and often dull. Pearls are highly variable. This individual looks a lot like a Northern Crescent, but the nearly identical Northern doesn't occur anywhere near here. Similar species to look out for include the Silvery Checkerspot (mountains and piedmont) and Phaon Crescent (only along the immediate coast). Durham Co., NC 8/17/03. |
|
This striking female is ovipositing on Aster (Symphyotrichum) concolor. Photos taken in the Sandhills Gamelands, Scotland Co., NC, 13 April 2002. |
 |
A more typical example. Pearl Crescents were swarming on Daisy-Fleabane (Erigeron sp.) this day. Carteret Co., NC, 20 April 2002. |
 |
Note the pearly white crescent on the trailing edge of the hindwing, which gives the species its name. Tyrrell Co., NC, 9 July 2002. |
Revised 11/17/2004 cwcook@duke.edu
