A Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (8/24/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Howard Co., Maryland (8/29/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Kevin Heffernan MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Prince George's Co., Maryland (10/2/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 460707 - Psn: 22)

View Record Details Photo by Sergei Drovetski MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (7/14/2006). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 878243 - Psn: 22)

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/24/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Andy Wilson MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Kent Co., Maryland (6/23/2022). (c) Nils Helstrom, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 592539 - Psn: 25)

Pearl Crescent in Kent Co., Maryland (6/23/2022). (c) Nils Helstrom, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Nils Helstrom via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/29/2020). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 629213 - Psn: 25)

Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/29/2020). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/13/2020). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 217257 - Psn: 32)

View Record Details Photo by Sergei Drovetski MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2020). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 294839 - Psn: 32)

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2020). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/26/2020). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 301423 - Psn: 32)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Howard Co., Maryland (9/25/2016). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 233611 - Psn: 35)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/26/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Emily Carter Mitchell MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/8/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 255563 - Psn: 42)

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/8/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (7/23/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/10/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Wayne Longbottom MBP List

Mating Pearl Crescents in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/6/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Pauline Horn MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/30/2017). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 230119 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/15/2010). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 878250 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/11/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Stasz MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/6/2019). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 264099 - Psn: 65)

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/6/2019). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/4/2021). (c) Nick Hobgood, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/'>CC BY-NC-ND</a>). (Photo ID: 407132 - Psn: 66)

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/4/2021). (c) Nick Hobgood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND).

View Record Details Photo by Nick Hobgood via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescents in Talbot Co., Maryland (5/7/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Erica Weick MBP List

Pearl Crescent on Purple-headed Sneezeweed in Charles Co., Maryland (6/30/2007). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 878251 - Psn: 78)

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/3/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Hudson MBP List

A Pearl Crescent collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/7/2001).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

A Pearl Crescent collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/4/2000).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (8/24/2021). (c) Wendy McCrady, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 450728 - Psn: 165)

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (8/24/2021). (c) Wendy McCrady, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Wendy McCrady via iNaturalist MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Washington Co., Maryland (5/25/2018). Very ragged at the tail end of its first brood.

View Record Details Photo by Rick Borchelt MBP List

A close-up of a Pearl Crescent collected in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/20/2013).

Photo by USGS PWRC MBP List

Pearl Crescents in Harford Co., Maryland (8/6/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/9/2020). (c) vickiebell, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 215229 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/9/2020). (c) vickiebell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by vickiebell via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/29/2021). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 515040 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 815244 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Kyle Klotz MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) David Stutzman, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1098442 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) David Stutzman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by dstutz via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/7/2023). (c) kary, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 1201059 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by karyorelicta via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (4/3/2025). (c) Molly Cohn, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1225181 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (4/3/2025). (c) Molly Cohn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Molly Cohn via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/17/2024). (c) veronikadownes, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1225796 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/17/2024). (c) veronikadownes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by veronikadownes via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/9/2025). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1306588 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/9/2025). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Moore MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/23/2025). (c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 1306846 - Psn: 200)

Pearl Crescent in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/23/2025). (c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Tom Feild MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co. (9/26/2025). (c) Michael Surgalla, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by msur via iNaturalist MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/28/2025). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved (Photo ID: 1393805 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/18/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/18/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/19/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/19/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/21/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Pearl Crescent in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/7/2025). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

A Pearl Crescent in Worcester Co., Maryland (8/7/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

Map Snapshot

2,668 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

The Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is a familiar and common species, with an orange upperside and intricate blackish markings through the interior. This butterfly is found across the state throughout the warmer months, into November (Butterflies of Maryland: A Biological Summary and Checklist by Lynn Davidson & Richard Smith). It is distributed generally in fields, meadows, gardens, and many other open habitats, and is easily identified and learned even by those with a casual interest in butterflies.

Relationships

Pearl Crescent is known to use various asters as larval hosts, including White Panicle Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum), Hairy White Oldfield Aster (S. pilosum), and Smooth Blue Aster (S. laeve), and probably others. For instance, captive specimens have been reared on New England Aster (S. novae-angliae).

Seasonality Summary

No filters. Click here to explore and apply filters.

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts

View images at BugGuide

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (8/24/2014). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

A Pearl Crescent in Howard Co., Maryland (8/29/2015). View Record Details Media by Kevin Heffernan.

A Pearl Crescent in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/24/2016). View Record Details Media by Andy Wilson.

Pearl Crescent in Kent Co., Maryland (6/23/2022). (c) Nils Helstrom, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Nils Helstrom via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/29/2020). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2020). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

A Pearl Crescent in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/26/2017). View Record Details Media by Emily Carter Mitchell.

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/8/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

A Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (7/23/2017). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

A Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/10/2019). View Record Details Media by Wayne Longbottom.

Mating Pearl Crescents in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/6/2019). View Record Details Media by Pauline Horn.

A Pearl Crescent in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/11/2014). View Record Details Media by Jim Stasz.

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/6/2019). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/4/2021). (c) Nick Hobgood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). View Record Details Media by Nick Hobgood via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescents in Talbot Co., Maryland (5/7/2017). View Record Details Media by Erica Weick.

A Pearl Crescent in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/3/2014). View Record Details Media by Mike Hudson.

A Pearl Crescent collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/7/2001). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

A Pearl Crescent collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/4/2000). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (8/24/2021). (c) Wendy McCrady, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Wendy McCrady via iNaturalist.

A Pearl Crescent in Washington Co., Maryland (5/25/2018). Very ragged at the tail end of its first brood. View Record Details Media by Rick Borchelt.

A close-up of a Pearl Crescent collected in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/20/2013). Media by USGS PWRC.

Pearl Crescents in Harford Co., Maryland (8/6/2017). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

Pearl Crescent in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/9/2020). (c) vickiebell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by vickiebell via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Harford Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) David Stutzman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by dstutz via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (4/3/2025). (c) Molly Cohn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Molly Cohn via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/17/2024). (c) veronikadownes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by veronikadownes via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/9/2025). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jim Moore.

Pearl Crescent in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/23/2025). (c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Tom Feild.

Pearl Crescent in Montgomery Co. (9/26/2025). (c) Michael Surgalla, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by msur via iNaturalist.

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/18/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Pearl Crescent in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/19/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Pearl Crescent in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/21/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Pearl Crescent in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/7/2025). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

A Pearl Crescent in Worcester Co., Maryland (8/7/2013). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.