Tailed Orange
Common NameTailed Orange
Scientific NamePyrisitia proterpia
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyColiadinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsyellow, orange
HabitatOpen fields, roadsides, desert washes, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America
Host PlantsSenna species, Partridge Pea, Sicklepod
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropics; spring to fall in temperate regions
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are green with a pale lateral stripe. Pupae are green and attached by a silken girdle. Multiple generations occur annually.
Identification TipsKey features include its bright yellow-orange coloration, the distinctive small tail on the hindwing (though it can be worn), and the faint reddish-brown streaking on the hindwing underside.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly, typically bright yellow to orange, with a small, pointed tail on each hindwing. The underside of the hindwing often shows faint reddish-brown markings.
