Clouded Sulphur Butterfly – Colias philodice
The Common Sulphur Butterfly is popularly known as the Clouded Sulphur. These butterflies are known to hybridize with the Orange Sulphur, and specimens are very difficult to tell apart. The Illinois Butterfly Monitor Network treats these as one species for counting purposes.
orange sulphur butterfly
Habitat: Meadows and fields; almost any open spaces, parks and pastures. Flight: Several broods March to December in south.
Range: North America except most of Florida. Life Cycle: Eggs are chartreuse, laid singly on various legumes, especially clovers (Trifolium). Caterpillar bright green with darker stripe on back, lighter green stripe on side. Green chrysalis overwinters. These butterflies are some of the most abundant here in the American midwest.
Orange sulphur mated pair
I have seen these butterflies active as late as mid-November in northern Illinois.
