The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly, is a large yellow butterfly found throughout most of the mainland United States. It is most common in the eastern United States and southern portions of the western United States, but it has been spotted as far north as Canada. The males are completely yellow while the females have a darker black border on the upper side of the wings and can vary in color from yellow to white.

 

“Cloudless Sulphur” by Adam Skowronski, licensed under (CC  BY-ND 2.0)

 

Cloudless Sulphur Facts

Butterfly Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Coliadinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 1/4 – 3 1/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Disturbed open areas including parks, yards, gardens, beaches, road edges, and abandoned fields

 

Cloudless Sulphur Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Plants in the Fabaceae Family
  • Northern Wild Senna
  • Southern Wild Senna

Nectar Plants:

• Nectar from various flowers
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Petunia
  • Blazing Star
  • Phlox
  • Wild Columbine
  • Impatiens
  • Lantana
  • Verbena
  • Boneset
  • Jewelweed