Large Orange Sulphur (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

Large Orange Sulphur

Phoebis agarithe

Who am I? ²

Howdy! Phoebis agarithe, here. Or just the Large orange sulphur is fine. There is not a lot of information 'bout me at the moment, but hopefully that will change in the future!

Quick facts ²

Common name: Large orange sulphur

Scientific name:Phoebis agarithe (Boisduval 1836)

Family: Pieridae - Coliadinae

Characteristics:

Wingspan: 2 1/4 - 3 3/8 inches (5.7 - 8.6 cm)
Upperside usually orange with no markings
Underside has a few markings, and a straight, brown line that may be faint
Females can have two forms: pink-white or yellow-orange
Females usually have darker marks

Host plant: Prefers Pithecellobium, Inga, and Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae)

Nectar plant: Variety of flowers. Can be from (but not limited to) lantana, shepherd's needle, bougainvilla, rose periwinkle, turk's cap, and hibiscus

Preferred habitat: Open, tropical lowlands; can be gardens, pastures, road edges, trails, parks

Distribution: Can be seen from Peru to Florida and the extreme south of the United States (Southern Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California)

Flight times: Present all year in southern Texas and Florida; travels north mid- to late summer. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67653-Phoebis-agarithe

Where can you find me on campus? ²

So far there is only one observation of the Large orange sulphur, which was on a fairy duster flower (Calliandra eriophylla). Since they visit a variety of flowers, they may be spotted at flowers near Old Main, the Women's Plaza, one of the pollinator gardens around Biological Sciences West, or other flower patches around campus. More observations and information is needed to make better predictions of where they might be found in the future.