Whites & Sulphurs
What are they?
Whites and sulphurs are predominantly white or yellow butterflies that are most often seen in open habitats. Though the 'whites' are resident, over-wintering as pupae, most of the sulphurs and yellows migrate northward from the south in spring and their numbers vary greatly from year to year. Some are scarce or rare visitors to our region.
Identification
Identification of most species is fairly straight forward if attention is paid to markings on the underside of the hindwing. However, Clouded and Orange Sulphurs remain highly problematic at times and even the experts can't agree on the differences!
Small (Cabbage) White Artogeia rapae
Wingspan: 1.7 inches. Flight time: March to October. Larval foodplant: Members of the cabbage family(Brassicaceae) including crop species. Often called Cabbage White in North America, but the more helpful name of Small White is used here as it is the name that is used in the species native range (Europe), where the name 'Cabbage White' tends to be used by non-naturalists and children for any one of three species of white butterflies. Female has two black spots in the centre of the forewing while the male has just one.
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Checkered White Pontia protodice
Wingspan: 1.6 inches. Flight time: March to October, but most likely in September or later. Larval foodplant: Members of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) especially Shepherd's Purse and Virginia Pepperwort. Once more common, this is now a rare species in Cape May County, with sightings less than annually. In flight, hard to tell from Small White but at rest, the dark veins on the underside are distinctive.
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Falcate Orange-tip Anthocharis midea
Wingspan: 1.45 inches. Flight time: April to May. Larval foodplant: Members of the cabbage family(Brassicaceae). A local species which is not common in Cape May County but can be seen in grassy woodland clearings and along field edges. A very flighty species which can be difficult to approach. The male is easily recognized by the bright orange wing tips, but females have black wing tips and are easily mistaken for Small Whites. Both male and female have a distinctive mottled pattern to the underside of the hindwing.
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Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme
Wingspan: 1.9 inches. Flight time: Mostly April to November but in some years may be seen year round. Larval foodplant: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), usually introduced species such as lucerne and clovers. This species once occurred only further west than our region but is now widespread and very common here. A very variable species; for males, the presence of at least some orange on the topside of forewing (often visible from below if viewed against the light when the wings are shut) seems to rule out Clouded Sulphur, but individuals with no orange are frequent and may be unidentifiable to species, or perhaps even hybrids. In general terms, male Orange Sulphurs have a broader black border than Clouded Sulphurs, resulting in a black spot on the underside of the forewing appearing within the shadow of the upperwing black border. This feature has, however, been questioned by some experts. Females can be told from males by the broader black borders on the upperside, which also contain paler patches. In females only, there is also a creamy-white form (form 'alba') which could easily be mistaken for a Small White, or even one of the rarer southern species.
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Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice
Wingspan: 1.8 inches. Flight time: Mostly March to November. Larval foodplant: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), usually introduced species such as lucerne and clovers. Formerly widespread and at times common, this species has declined greatly in the east of its range, probably due to the loss of suitable habitat and it seems doubtful that it occurs in Cape May as anything more than a rare visitor now.
A rather variable species, but males usually appear a brighter, more intense yellow than Orange Sulphurs. Females may often be unidentifiable to species in the field. In general terms, male Clouded Sulphurs have a narrower black border than Orange Sulphurs, resulting in a black spot on the underside of the forewing, towards the apex, appearing either in the yellow, or just on the edge of the shadow of the upperwing black border. This feature has, however, been questioned by some experts. Females can be told from males by the broader black borders on the upperside, which also contain paler patches. In females only, there is also a creamy-white form (form 'alba') which could easily be mistaken for a Small White, or even one of the rarer southern species.
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Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae
Wingspan: 2.5 inches. Flight time: Mostly March to November. Larval foodplant: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), in our region most likely Partridge-peas. An immigrant from the south, seen more commonly some years than others and generally more common in the south of the county. A fairly large, eye-catching, brilliant yellow butterfly with noticeably pointed forewings.
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Little Yellow Eurema lisa
Wingspan: 1.3 inches. Flight time: June to October. Larval foodplant: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), in our region mostly Partridge-peas. An immigrant from the south, seen more commonly some years than others and generally most likely to be seen an the extreme south end of the county. Small colonies appear to become temporarily estabished for a few years but then disappear. A small, skittish butterfly that generally flies close to the ground. Usually appears all yellow but a good view will reveal black tips and edges to the wings on the upperside. Female differs from male in having a large, rusty-brown patch towards the back of the hindwing.
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Sleepy Orange Eurema nicippe
Wingspan: 1.65 inches. Flight time: Probably most likely in late summer/fall. Larval foodplant: Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), in our region most likely Partridge-peas. An immigrant from the south, which is unpredictable in appearance and not recorded every year. Similar to Little Yellow but noticeably larger and a richer orange-yellow. Upperwings have black borders and edges but, like most members of its family, this species generally rests or feeds with wings closed. A dark crescent above the center of the forewing is said to look like a sleepy eye and give this species its name. Told from other yellows in our area by the dark lines on the underside of the hindwing.
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Dainty Sulphur Nathalis iole
Wingspan: 0.95 inches. Flight time: A vagrant, currently recorded in September. Larval foodplant: Members of the daisy family (Asteraceae). Dainty Sulphur does not occur in our region on a regular basis and, in fact, regularly occurs no closer than South Carolina or the mid-west. However, the species has a track record of occasional extreme vagrancy and one was photographed near Goshen in 2007 (pictured here). This is by far the smallest of the sulphurs and differs from Little Yellow by the gray-green dusting on the underside of the wings. The upperside also has more extensive black, but this is very hard to see.
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