Sulphur Butterflies (Coliadinae)
| Sulphur Butterflies (Coliadinae) Cloudless Sulphur Dainty Sulphur Large Orange Sulphur Little Yellow Lyside Sulphur Mimosa Yellow Orange Sulphur Sleepy Orange Southern Dogface Tailed Orange Butterfly Pictures |
Most species are large, with a two to three inch average wing span. The Dainty Sulphur, a common Midwest and Southwest species is the smallest sulphur species, with an average one inch wing size.
sulphur species divide into ten genera. Almost half of the sulphur species belong to one genus, Colias. The remaining nine sulphur genera are each represented by less than five species in the United States. Many of these species are neotropical, and can only be found in the southern most areas of the United States.
sulphur identification may or may not be difficult, depending on the species or genus in question.
Colias species share many physical characteristics. Because most Colias species have geographically limited ranges that do not overlap, identifying them is usually not difficult. The Orange sulphur and Clouded sulphur are exceptions to the rule. Both species can be found from coast to coast, and both species look very similar.
The Cloudless Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur and Orange-barred Sulphur, members of the Phoebis genus, also share many physical similarities. A close inspection of the patterns on their hindwings usually clears up any identification confusions.
The links in the box on the right point to a list of sulphur butterflies representing seven of the ten sulphur genera. Please click on any link to learn more.
© 2008. Patricia A. Michaels. All Rights Reserved.