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Hybridization between Phyciodes tharos and other species of the genus, P. phaon and P. campestris montana, have been studied in the past. These studies were done to address the question as to whether or not variation through hybridization could arise and create a new species of Lepidoptera as a result. Furthermore, these specific butterflies were chosen because in the case of P. campestris montana and P. tharos, they share common larval food plants and habitat. In the case of P. phaon and P. tharos, these species are sympatric along roadsides and sandy areas in northern Florida. The reason for these studies is to investigate the effects of incompatible genomes and how they affect offspring viability and variation between species. As P. tharos span across the Americas and Canada, hybridization and interspecies breeding is a phenomenon that could lead to variety among species or infertility within offspring.

To study this, laboratory studies have been done to inspect the compatibility of Phyciodes tharos with other species. In Oliver's experimental hybridization of Phyciodes tharos with P. campestris montana, he states that "it is to be expected that the most sensitive test for genetic incompatibility between populations and species would be an assay of viability and fertility by laboratory hybridization". Even though the cross species were incompatible, it contributes to research on whether existing species of butterflies could cross breed and bring back variety within Lepidoptera.