# Clouded Sulphur (*Colias philodice*) The Clouded Sulphur is a bright yellow butterfly with beautiful orange spots. It flutters around fields and gardens, bringing joy to everyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens - **Also known as:** Clouded Sulphur Butterfly ![Clouded Sulphur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Clouded_sulphur_%2814019%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clouded_sulphur_%2814019%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Clouded Sulphur is a medium-sized butterfly, usually bright yellow in males and paler yellow or white in females. Its wings have a distinct black border, often broader on the forewings, and a small black spot on each forewing, helping to distinguish it from similar sulphur butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Pieridae - **Genus:** Colias ## Interesting facts - Clouded Sulphur caterpillars are camouflaged green, blending perfectly with plant leaves! - Many Clouded Sulphurs gather at puddles to sip water and important minerals! - Some female Clouded Sulphurs are pure white, a cool trick called the 'alba' form! - These butterflies drink flower nectar using a long, straw-like 'proboscis'! ## Special abilities - **Color Change:** Clouded Sulphur has wing colors that can appear brighter or duller, helping them absorb sunlight or blend into their surroundings. - **Swift Flight:** Clouded Sulphur can fly rapidly and erratically, making it difficult for predators to catch them mid-air. - **Multi-Generational:** Clouded Sulphur can complete several life cycles in a single warm season, allowing their populations to grow quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-60 mm - **Size:** 17-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar; caterpillars munch on legume leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Clover, Alfalfa, Vetch, Dandelion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Provides food for birds. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Spreads pollen during feeding. - **Depends on:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe and can fly freely. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clouded Sulphur? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Clouded Sulphur's wingspan? 35-60 mm ### How big is Clouded Sulphur? 17-25 mm ### How long does Clouded Sulphur live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Clouded Sulphur fly? 20 km/h ### What does Clouded Sulphur eat? Adults sip nectar; caterpillars munch on legume leaves. ### Where is Clouded Sulphur usually found? Fields and gardens ### How does Clouded Sulphur hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Pennellville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennellville-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-hill-patrick-henry-national-memorial) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park - [Rolling Hills Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rolling-hills-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo [View all places to see Clouded Sulphur](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/clouded-sulphur) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Clouded Sulphur: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clouded-sulphur)