This small, colorful Crescent has a wingspan of 1 – 1 1/2 inches. The orange and black color patterns are variable seasonally and geographically. It has a row of small, black spots along the submarginal band on the dorsal side of the hindwing. The ventral side of the male’s hindwing is a clear yellow, while the female’s has more brown markings. Both sexes have a pale crescent at the center of the hindwing margin. The very similar species, the Silvery Checkerspot, is a little larger and usually has at least 2 silver spots in the row of small black spots on the hindwing. The mature caterpillar is about 3/4 inch long and is grayish-brown with white speckles and many branching spines. The head is shiny black with a white line over each lobe.