Incredible Insects! #2 Butterfly.

Hi everyone and welcome back to another look at our incredible insects! Last time we looked at the Northern Crescent and this week we will look at the Pearl Crescent. The Northern is a common butterfly in our area, the Pearl is considered to be uncommon in this area. It generally likes more open country, but we do have many fields in this area, remnants of long abandoned farms.

This is not ideal farming country, but people did try at one time. This butterfly can be found any time from mid May to mid September, although I have never seen it before mid June. It overwinters in our area as a half grown caterpillar. In summer the butterflies are lighter orange below, with not much pattern.

Pearl Crescent Butterfly.

In spring and fall they are darker below and heavily patterned. Caterpillars feed mainly on a wide variety of asters, the adults feed on many different flowers such as clover, cinquefoil, goldenrod, aster, dogbane, fleabane, yarrow, daisy and black-eyed susan.

They usually have two broods per season. The wingspan of this caterpillar can be up to 1 and a half inches (3.75cm). They are a beautiful butterfly and it is always a joy to see them. Have a great day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2025 Steve McLeod.