Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)

This newly described species occurs in the mountains in NC, although its full range and abundance is still unknown. Looking very much like Pearl Crescent (P. tharos) and even more so like Northern Crescent (P. cocyta), this species can be identified from Pearl by a combination of red-orange on the underside of the antennal clubs in males, larger size (than Pearl), and flight behavior of flying higher off the ground and even up into the subcanopy. Other field marks are described in the original publication for this species (see below). Mimic Crescent is two-brooded in NC with the first brood in May/June and the second in Aug/Sep.

For a copy of Ron Gatrelle's original publication describing this species, go to http://www.tils-ttr.org, follow the link to the library, and go to Vol. 4 No. 8 of the Taxonomic Report of The International Lepidoptera Survey. The paper can be downloaded as a pdf file. Additional thanks to Ron for confirming ID of these photographs!


Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Male
Clay Co., NC
14 May 2005
Male
Clay Co., NC
14 May 2005

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Male
Note the red-orange underside of the antennal clubs
Clay Co., NC
14 May 2005
Female
Clay Co., NC
14 May 2005

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Female
Clay Co., NC
21 May 2005
same individual

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Female
Clay Co., NC
21 May 2005
same individual

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Female; not sure if this is Mimic or Pearl, though...
Clay Co., NC
21 May 2005
same individual

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006
Female
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Male
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006
Male
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Male
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006
Male
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006
Macon Co., NC
12 May 2006

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus) Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Madison Co., NC
9 Apr 2012
Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Madison Co., NC
9 Apr 2012

Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Madison Co., NC
9 Apr 2012
Mimic Crescent (Phyciodes incognitus)
Madison Co., NC
9 Apr 2012


North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page


Created on ... May 16, 2005 | Updated on ... Nov 25, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com