Summary ⁶

Colias eurytheme, the orange sulphur, also known as the alfalfa butterfly

Characteristics: Male -- yellow or orange with dark marginal border around dorsal forewing and hindwing. Female -- yellow, orange, or less commonly, white (albino) with incomplete dark border on dorsal wings. Note color variations.

Similar Species: This is the most common sulphur on or survey, but check for cloudless or even Large Orange or others not previously identified. One can always hope.

Habitats, Behavior: rapid flyer

Larval Foodplants: Many species of legumes (family Leguminosae) are utilized, primarily Alfalfa (Medicago sativa); also clovers (Trifolium spp.) and perhaps Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Vicki DeLoach, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/vickisnature/2810244033/
2. (c) Dan Mullen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/8583446@N05/6137123754
3. (c) David A. Hofmann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/23326361@N04/3047708732/
4. (c) Jan Dauphin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.thedauphins.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/21-OrangeSulphur-5.jpg.w300h357.jpg
5. (c) Kim Moore, all rights reserved, uploaded by Kim Moore
6. (c) Kim Moore, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CalPhotos
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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