Introduction
The tribe Melitaeini is of worldwide distribution. It includes the Crescents and Checkerspots of North America, and also many familiar European species such as the Marsh and Heath Fritillaries.
The genus Phyciodes comprises of 11 species, distributed variously from Canada to Guatemala.
Phyciodes pulchella is found in British Columbia, Alberta and the western states of the USA.
Habitats
This species breeds in a wide range of mid-elevation habitats including damp meadows, open dry fields and grasslands, glades and clearings in deciduous or coniferous woodlands, roadsides etc.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant in California is believed to be Symphyotrichum but other genera of Asteraceae may be used elsewhere.
Adult behaviour
Males commonly imbibe mineralised moisture from damp ground. Both sexes nectar at Asteraceae.