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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Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Phoebis (bright/pure) sennae (from Senna - a major host plant genus)

Adult Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Phoebis sennae sennae
Length: 5.5-7cm  /  Wingspan: 4.8-6.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A widely distributed species of butterfly found from Canada to Argentina, where it has a wide variety of habitats and food plants. It favours open and semi open areas, while its foodplants include corda, bougainvillea, cardinal flower, hibiscus, morning glory and sennas. It was formerly credited with having a third subspecies - Phoebis marcellina, but this has now been elavated to full species status as the Marcellina Sulphur.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Phoebis
SUBSPECIES: P. s. amphitrite, P. s. sennae
 

- Sighting Locations -
COSTA RICA 
A widespread, common resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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