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Project Noah Nature School
Phyciodes tharos
Quite variable. Males usually have black antennal knobs. Upperside is orange with black borders; postmedian and submarginal areas are crossed by fine black marks. Underside of hindwing has a dark marginal patch containing a light-colored crescent. Spring and fall broods (form marcia) have a gray mottled hindwing below. Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).
This one was observed at the stork ponds at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center near Jackson (Aiken County), SC. Typical habitat includes open areas such as pastures, road edges, vacant lots, fields, open pine woods.
Caterpillar Hosts: Several species of smooth-leaved true asters including Aster pilosus, A. texanus, and A. laevis. Adult Food: Nectar from a great variety of flowers including dogbane, swamp milkweed, shepherd's needle, asters, and winter cress.
Spotted on May 3, 2014
Submitted on Jan 1, 2015
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