Brushfoots: Summer Crescent
Phyciodes diminutor

Summer Crescent Sightings
Size: Wingspan ranges from 1.25" - 1.88"
Habitat: Open areas near streams, shale barrens
Occurrence Level: Rare
Flight Period: May and August
Larval Host Plant: Asters
Summer Crescent
Allegany County, MD. May 25, 2014

Upperside view of a male Summer Crescent. The Summer Crescent was considered a subspecies of the Northern Crescent until just recently when author James Scott determined that the Summer Crescent was a separate species. The flight pattern of the Summer Crescent is known to be different from the Pearl Crescents. They fly higher than the Pearls and almost seem to glide at times. But the main identifier of the Summer Crescent male is the orange on the underside of the antenna clubs.


Summer Crescent
Allegany County, MD. August 8, 2014

Note the orange on the underside of the antenna clubs on this male Summer Crescent.


Summer Crescent
Allegany County, MD. May 25, 2014

Ventral View of a male. Again, note the orange antenna clubs. Also of note is the large dark area that does not display the lighter crescent.


Summer Crescent
Allegany County, MD. August 8, 2014