Large Orange Sulphur
Common NameLarge Orange Sulphur
Scientific NamePhoebis agarithe
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyColiadinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, yellow
HabitatOpen fields, gardens, roadsides, forest edges, tropical lowlands
Geographic RangeSouthern United States (Florida, Texas, Arizona, California), Mexico, Central America, South America. Migrates north to other US states.
Host PlantsSenna species (e.g., Partridge Pea, Sicklepod)
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions; summer and fall in temperate areas due to migration
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a white stripe along the side. The chrysalis is green or yellowish, resembling a leaf.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its large size and solid orange or yellow coloration. Males are typically a vibrant orange, while females can be orange or yellow. Lacks the prominent black borders or spots seen in many other sulphur species.
Description
A large, robust butterfly typically bright orange (males) or yellow (females), with a few faint reddish-brown spots or speckles on the underside of the wings.
