Little Yellow Butterfly

Sulphur Butterflies (Coliadinae) Cloudless Sulphur Dainty Sulphur Large Orange Sulphur Lyside Sulphur Mimosa Yellow Orange Sulphur Sleepy Orange Southern Dogface Tailed Orange Butterfly Pictures

Sometimes names reveal as much, or as little, of the object named, as the interpreter of the name wishes.

The Little Yellow butterfly (Pyrisitia lisa), is indeed a little yellow butterfly, and it is the most widespread of the five Pyrisitia species found int he Unied States.

The two small black spots on the bottom of the hindwing, near the legs, are the key field identification clues for differentiating it with the Mimosa Yellow.

Lepidopterist are debating the status of the Pyrisitia genus, wondering if it should be combined with another Coliadinae genus, Eurema.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels