Clouded Sulphur
October 2024
The Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) is a small lemony-yellow butterfly with a white circle at the center of the ventral side hindwing, a black oval near the leading edge of the ventral side forewing, various pink, black and white spotting marks, pink details around the wing edges and on the head, legs and antennae and green eyes. Note that there is no orange on the forewing, a subtle black dusting of scales on the hindwing, and more prominent and bold black wing margins when viewed from above.
September 2025
With some practice you can separate this species from Orange Sulphurs mainly by looking for the bright orange details visible from above and most of the time from below. These species very likely hybridize and some individuals are white forms which look almost like Cabbage Whites at times. You can’t always tell the difference, but when you see an obvious Clouded Sulphur it is always beautiful!!
August 2025
Note the really nice lemon yellow color on this individual as it puddles on the sand. Sometimes this species will convene in groups or with other sulphurs at damp spots along roadsides, near lakes, or open fields.
July 2025
Sometimes these butterflies can have a bit of a greenish huge under certain conditions like if they are backlit with the sun. They are much smaller than Cloudless Sulphurs which also have a hint of green.
September 2024
This individual as well as the one in the profile image exemplify the black dusting detail that is very noticeable on the hindwing especially, but also on the forewing leading edge.
September 2017
The Clouded Sulphur pictured here feeding on the knapweed flower has an orange hue to it but no bold orange mark near the center of the forewing. The individual also has a wide black band along the wing margin (more noticeable from above), and a bit of black dusting on the hindwing.
September 2023
It’s amazing how well these butterflies blend in to their surroundings. Can you spot the Clouded Sulphur in this image? It looks just like a leaf!!!!
