Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Shy Yellow
Pyrisitia messalina (Fabricius, 1787)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Both sexes creamy white. Males with black borders on outer edges of both wings; female with black apex. Male has pink bar on underside of forewing that fades after death.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.6 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Females lay single eggs on top of host plant leaves.
Flight: Most common in May-August; February.
Caterpillar Hosts: Tick trefoils (Desmodium) and Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Shady, brushy areas.
Range: Resident in West Indies; very rare stray in southern Florida.
Conservation: None required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 verified sightings
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
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