With
a wingspan of 2? - 2¾ inches (5.3 - 7 cm) the cloudless sulfur
butterfly (Phoebis sennae) is one of the largest of the group of
butterflies known as the sulfurs . All of the sulfur butterflies
belong to the family Pieridae and all are yellow to orange in color.
Cloudless
sulfurs are found in South America and in most of the mid to eastern
United States up to Canada. They are most commonly found in regions
that stay warm year round. Because adult giant sulfurs feed on flower
nectar they are usually found in open fields and anywhere where
flowers are present.
Some
of their favorite flowers are butterfly bush, marigolds, sunflowers,
dahlias, and zinnias, but they will feed at many other kinds of
flowers.
Host
plants for their larval stage are primarily Sennas (Cassia spp.),
but legumes, partridge pea, and clovers (Trifolium spp.) can also
serve as host plants.
Female
cloudless sulfurs typically have two dark spots on their forewings
(seen when their wings are extended), but males usually don't have
these spots. The female butterflies lay white eggs on a host plant.
As the eggs mature they turn pale orange. Eggs usually hatch in
about one week.
The
larval stage or caterpillar of the cloudless giant sulfur is yellow
with about 11-12 dark vertical stripes on its body. The caterpillar
also has some small black dots on its back. It usually constructs
a "tent" by using a strand of silk to fold up a leaf so
that it has some protection from predators and the elements.
The
pupa or chrysalis can be either yellow or green with pink or green
stripes on it. The chrysalis is pointed at the top and bottom.
Cloudless
sulfurs produce two broods per season in northern areas, but reproduce
year round in southern areas where the temperature remains warm
year round.
The
cloudless sulfur is not on the endangered species list.
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