Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme Boisduval, 1852
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Quite variable. Upperside of male yellow with orange overlay, yellow veins, wide black border, and dark black cell spot. Female yellow or white with irregular black border surrounding light spots. Underside hindwing spot silver with 2 concentric dark rings, and a spot above it.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 2 3/4 inches (3.5 - 7 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for receptive females, who lay eggs singly on top of host plant leaves. Most feeding takes place at night. Young caterpillars chew holes in the tops of leaves, then later feed from the leaf tip. Older caterpillars eat half of the leaf before moving to the other half. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: Two-three flights in the north from June-October, 4-5 in the south from March-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) including alfalfa (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), and white sweet clover (Melilotus alba).
Adult Food: Nectar from many kinds of flowers including dandelion, milkweeds, goldenrods, and asters.
Habitat: A wide variety of open sites, especially clover and alfalfa fields, mowed fields, vacant lots, meadows, road edges.
Range: Southern Canada to central Mexico, coast to coast in the United States except for the Florida peninsula. Comments: One of the most widespread and common butterflies in North America.
Conservation: Not required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Caterpillars can be very destructive in alfalfa fields.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 12816 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 22, 2024
Submitted by: Blond crestedwarbler
Region: Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 19, 2024
Observation date: Aug 18, 2022
Submitted by: jrtindall
Region: Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 19, 2024
Observation date: Jul 07, 2024
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: La Plata County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Nov 17, 2024
Observation date: Nov 05, 2024
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Nov 09, 2024
Observation date: Nov 05, 2024
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Nov 09, 2024
Observation date: Oct 05, 2024
Submitted by: Chrustay
Region: Quay County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Nov 04, 2024
Observation date: Oct 27, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 03, 2024
Observation date: Oct 20, 2024
Submitted by: Blue Swallowtail
Region: Adams County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Oct 28, 2024
Observation date: Oct 25, 2024
Submitted by: NewCreation
Region: Texas, Midland County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 28, 2024
Observation date: Oct 26, 2024
Submitted by: James Steen
Region: Harper County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Oct 26, 2024
Observation date: Oct 25, 2024
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Oct 25, 2024
Observation date: Oct 20, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 21, 2024
Observation date: Oct 20, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 21, 2024
Observation date: Oct 19, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 20, 2024
Observation date: Oct 19, 2024
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Oct 20, 2024
Observation date: Sep 18, 2024
Submitted by: aarongunnar
Region: Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Oct 15, 2024
Observation date: Oct 12, 2024
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Oct 14, 2024
Observation date: Oct 12, 2024
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Oct 14, 2024
Observation date: Aug 26, 2024
Submitted by: dbryant562
Region: Sandusky County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 12, 2024
Observation date: Oct 09, 2024
Submitted by: Colleen K
Region: Robertson County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Oct 09, 2024
Observation date: Sep 29, 2024
Submitted by: mtobin11
Region: DuPage County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 09, 2024
Observation date: May 29, 2011
Submitted by: Tom Dudones
Region: Putnam County, New York, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Oct 05, 2024
Observation date: Sep 30, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 03, 2024
Observation date: Aug 23, 2024
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 29, 2024
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