Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Pieridae

     Nathalis iole
     Dainty Sulphur


male upperside
male underside
female upperside
female underside

Size: wingspread 0.75-1 in.
Recognition: Very small; yellow with thick black FW tip and black bar extending through middle of wing.
Flight period: Adults are active all year in southern California.
Hostplants: The larvae of the Dainty Sulfur feed on plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), such as Fetid Marigold and Bur Marigold.
Habitat: Found in dry open areas such as fields, hillsides, meadows, and deserts.
Distribution: Resident in central America, but is a common stray and occasional colonist north through much of the U.S.including southern California.

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