An Older Pearl Crescent?

This Pearl Crescent has some wing damage (especially to the left front wing); I was wondering if this could be an older individual who hibernated as a caterpillar before resuming life last spring. Apparently that's what a Pearl Crescent does if it hatches when temperatures are beginning to get cold. 

On the other hand, the wing coloring doesn't look too faded, suggesting that the butterfly isn't especially old. (I think I'm talking myself into this being a butterfly that hatched earlier in the spring as opposed to last fall.) Of course, age is relative as the Pearl Crescent lives a much shorter life than ours:

  • They hatch about 1 week after their egg is laid.
  • They spend about 2 weeks chowing down on plants as caterpillars, with some of our asters being favorite foods.
  • Then it's time to metaphorize; they go into a chrysalis for 1-2 weeks.
  • When they emerge as butterflies, they can live as long as 2 months, though most probably don't last that long.

May 18, 2023 at Fairview Farm
Photo 292810117, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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