Labrador Sulphur
Colias nastes (Boisduval, 1832)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Upperside of both sexes dirty white or dirty green-yellow; black border contains white or greenish spots. Underside of hindwing has submarginal rows of black spots.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.1 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Overwinter as mature caterpillars.
Flight: One flight from late June-early August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants of the pea family (Fabaceae) including milk vetch (Astragalus alpinus) and white clover (Trifolium repens).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Arctic and alpine tundra.
Range: Alaska south in Rocky Mountains to north-central Washington and northwest Montana.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Not reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 verified sightings
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/sulphur_sp_07-17-2013_baffin_island_nu_1-2.jpg?itok=Dl-pTkk8)
Observation date: Jul 17, 2013
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Nunavut, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 26, 2022
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/sulphurlabrador1a.jpg?itok=FIGn1VOH)
Observation date: Jul 14, 2007
Submitted by: Martin Reid
Region: Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Nov 24, 2018
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/labrador-sulphur.jpg?itok=uPV7FV8Z)
Observation date: Jul 06, 2018
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Nov 24, 2018
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/labrador_sulphur_2.jpg?itok=QRfDC7E7)
Observation date: Jul 17, 2015
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Nov 24, 2018
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/filefield_paths/labrador-sulfur-2.jpg?itok=xYCPWscW)
Observation date: Jun 18, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Oct 12, 2017
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/colinast.jpg?itok=uj0uhNFC)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Jul 29, 2005
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Teton County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 29, 2008
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Jun 28, 1995
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (F/P)
Region: Northwest Arctic, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Jul 07, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (KWP)
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Jun 24, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (JLH)
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: Jun 22, 1997
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (F/P)
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Glacier County, Montana, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
![](/sites/default/files/no-image-icon-480x360.png)
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004