Phyciodes sp.

Phyciodes species are known as crescent butterflies. This genus of butterfly is easily distinguished from other species by their brightly colored orange antennae clubs. There are a variety of species found throughout the GYE and are relatively common. Each female can lay as many as 700 eggs in clusters underneath the host plant leaves. Males are generally territorial and patrol their territories in search of females with which to mate.

Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Species: Phyciodes sp.

Photograph: © 2016 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 05 July 2016
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45°53'36"N, 110°52'51"W)
Collected by: CJ Preftakes