Little yellow (Priority species: Smokies Discovery Impact Day)

Little yellow

Pyrisitia lisa

Description ⁷

The wingspan is between 32 and 44 mm, not to be confused with the sleepy orange that is large and orange not yellow. The dorsal view of the forewing has a broad dark margin and the hindwing's ventral view has two basal blacks spots.

Life cycle ⁷

In the southern part of its range there can be up to five broods per year, while in the northern range there are between one and three. During warm days males patrol for females so they can mate. Females lay eggs singly on the midveins of their host plant.

The adults feed on the nectar of species in the genus Aster.

Range and habitat ⁷

The little yellow lives as far south as Costa Rica north through southern portions of the United States, they can be seen throughout much more of the United States but this is due to seasonal colonization from the south. Within their range they can be seen in open areas, most commonly old fields.