Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Pearl Crescent Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Phyciodes tharos
Description: Dark brown to charcoal gray with
lateral cream stripes and many short, branched spines
Chrysalis: Mottled brown, tan,or gray brown.
Host Plants: Several species of smooth-leaved true
asters including Aster pilosus, A. texanus, and A. laevis.
Habitat: Open areas such as pastures, road edges,
vacant lots, fields, open pine woods.
Comments: Caterpillars are blackish-brown with a
cream-yellow stripe down their sides and blackish to yellowish branched spines covering
their bodies.