Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur
Common NameQueen Alexandra’s Sulphur
Scientific NameColias alexandra
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyColiadinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsyellow, greenish-yellow
HabitatOpen woodlands, meadows, mountain slopes, subalpine areas
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from southern British Columbia and Alberta south through the Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico
Host PlantsAstragalus, Lupinus, Thermopsis
Flight PeriodJune to August
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a white stripe, feeding on legumes, and typically overwinter before pupating.
Identification TipsKey features include the bright yellow upperside (males), the greenish-yellow hindwing underside with a silver-centered spot, and its preference for open, often mountainous, habitats in western North America.
Description
This medium-sized butterfly typically has bright yellow uppersides (males) or yellow/white uppersides (females), with a distinctive greenish-yellow underside on the hindwings, often featuring a small silver-centered spot.
