Banded Yellow
Common NameBanded Yellow
Scientific NameEurema phiale
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyColiadinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Primary Colorswhite, yellow
HabitatOpen areas, forest edges, clearings, disturbed areas, tropical lowlands
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America, occasionally straying into southern North America (e.g., Texas)
Host PlantsSenna spp., Chamaecrista spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple broods
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; eggs are laid singly on host plant leaves, larvae are green caterpillars that feed on the foliage, and pupation occurs in a chrysalis attached to vegetation.
Identification TipsKey identification features include its small size, the pale ground color of the wings, and the distinctive broad yellow band on the forewing. The underside is usually unmarked and very pale.
Description
A small butterfly with a pale white to light yellow ground color, prominently featuring a broad yellow band across the forewing. The underside is typically plain and paler, often with faint markings.
