×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly (Phoebis sennae)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/7
Image Credit: Eric B., taken in Denton County, TX
Full-sized image of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
2/7
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #2 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #2 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
3/7
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #3 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #3 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
4/7
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #4 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #4 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
5/7
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #5 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #5 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
6/7
Image Credit: Manzeal Khanal, taken in Uvalde, TX
Full-sized image #6 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #6 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly
7/7
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #7 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly Thumbnail image #7 of the Cloudless-Sulphur-Butterfly

Cloudless Sulphurs migrate north in warmer months, stretching their typical range across the U.S. so everyone can see them in the summer.



Updated: 07/26/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Cloudless Sulphurs are prolific in the southern U.S. and Mexico where they can produce 3 or 4 broods a year. They migrate to the north every year where the cold weather limits them to 1 or 2 broods before returning south. This species closely resembles the Clouded Sulphur in both name and appearance. Both have similar yellow colors, with only slight variations in spot placement and forewing shape. These minute features help distinguish them from each other, if they are around long enough to study. Look for Cloudless Sulphurs in a variety of areas with flowers or mud puddles. They are versatile and wander through backyards, construction sites, woodland edges, parks, and fields in addition to tropical forests and beaches. They are strong, fast fliers, and seem to rarely stop long enough to take a proper rest.

The larva of this species is completely yellow at first. It develops 10 black-brown bands which 'segment' it from head to rear. These black bands part to allow a thin green line in-between them. Black dots cover the yellow body and each black & green band ends in a black dot above the legs on each side of the body. The black/green bands fade away as the caterpillar prepares to pupate. The pupa resembles a yellow-green leaf, allowing it to blend into foliage. It prefers to feed on the leaves of senna, a type of flowering legume.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Fast insect icon
Flying insect icon
Harmless insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Pieridae
View More
          Genus: Phoebis
View More
            Species: sennae

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Phoebis sennae
Category: Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 55mm to 70mm (2.16" to 2.75")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: yellow; green; black
Descriptors: flying; harmless; fast


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 55mm (2.2in) and 70mm (2.8in)
Lo: 55mm
Md: 62.5mm
Hi: 70mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)