The phaon crescent is found from coastal North Carolina throughout the southern parts of the Gulf states to southern Texas and westward to Southern California. It strays north to Iowa and Nebraska. The wingspread is 14 to 16 mm. The undersides of the wings are orange and light tan with blackish brown markings. Both thoracic and abdominal segments have transverse bands of scoli each of which bears brown setae.
Males patrol open areas near host plants for females.
Mating occurs primarily during mid day. Green also known as capeweed, mat plant, creeping charlie, and match heads. Minno, M.C. and T.C. Emmel. 1993. Butterflies of the Florida Keys. Opler, P.A. and G.O. Krizek.