Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
Pieridae
Colias eurytheme
Orange Sulphur


male upperside	male underside	albinic female upperside	albinic female underside

Size: wingspread 1.5-2.5 in.
Recognition: Yellow-orange with outer black border and small central orange patch in HW; females may be yellow or white (albinic, as shown).
Flight period: Adults are active from February to November with a spring and late summer flight during this time.
Hostplants: The larvae feed on a variety of legumes (Fabaceae), including alfalfa, white sweet clover, white clover, and vetches.
Habitat: Found in open areas including agricultural fields (alfalfa), meadows, mountains, and hillsides.
Distribution: Found throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Other: The Orange Sulphur is occasionally considered a pest of alfalfa.

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