North American Ecology (US and Canada)
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Phyciodes vesta is native to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and ranges south to Guatemala; it is somewhat migratory, and strays north to Nebraska (Scott 1986). Habitats are open mesquite and thorn woodland, southern prairie and desert. Host plants are herbaceous and known hosts limited to one species, Siphonoglossa pilosella (Acanthaceae). Eggs are laid on the host plant in clusters. There are multiple flights Feb.1-Dec.31 in Texas, April1-Sept. 30 northward (Scott 1986).
