Sunday 15 October 2000

Common Sulphur (Colias philodice)

OTHER NAMES: Clouded Sulphur
Latin Etymology:  Colias (named after goddess Kōlias) philodice (a name of several figures from Greek Myth)

Adult Common Sulphur (Colias philodice) in Yukon - August 2024


Featured Subspecies: Unclear - possibly Colias philodice eriphyle
Wingspan: 3.2-5.4cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A widely distributed species of Butterfly found across the vast majority of the US and Canada, in the former being found in every state except Florida and Hawai'i. They have a wide range of host plants which include various species of vetch and clover, as well as other widely distributed species like trefoils, alfalfa and soybeans. Despite the name, they do also ocur in a white morph which may make them resemble white pieridae butterflies.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Colias
SUBSPECIES: C. p. eriphyle, C. p. guatemalena, C. p. philodice, C. p. vitabunda

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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