Clouded Yellow
ExploreInsects
Clouded Yellow
Colias croceus
The Clouded Yellow butterfly is a bright yellow butterfly that loves to fly in sunny places. Its cheerful color makes it easy to spot!
Habitat: Open fields and meadows
Appearance
The Clouded Yellow is a medium-sized butterfly with bright lemon-yellow or orange-yellow wings, featuring distinctive broad black borders. Females sometimes appear greenish-white, a unique variation. Its vivid colouration and dark wing margins make it easily identifiable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPieridaeGenusColias
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Butterfly wings are covered in thousands of tiny, colourful, overlapping scales.
Clouded Yellows can sometimes appear in huge swarms when conditions are perfect!
Some female Clouded Yellows are pale white, not yellow, surprising for their name!
They cannot survive cold winters, flying south or dying off in colder climates.
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Flight
Clouded Yellows can fly very quickly and erratically, making them difficult targets for predators like birds.
Ability
Long-Distance Migration
Clouded Yellows can travel thousands of kilometers, allowing them to colonize new regions and escape cold winters.
Ability
Camouflaged Larvae
Clouded Yellow larvae have green bodies with white stripes, which helps them blend into their food plants.
Ability
Colour Variation
Some female Clouded Yellows have pale greenish-white wings, unlike the typical yellow, possibly for mimicry.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 40-52 mm
- Size
- 20-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 60-90 days
- Flight Speed
- 20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on legumes, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers.
Age differences: Larvae eat plant leaves; adults drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Clover leaves
- Alfalfa leaves
- Bird's-foot Trefoil leaves
- Thistle nectar
- Knapweed nectar
- Dandelion nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Larvae feed on the leaves.
eats
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Caterpillars consume the foliage.
pollinates
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
Adults drink nectar, aiding pollination.
eaten by
Great Tit
Parus major
Birds can prey on adult butterflies.
eaten by
Common Wasp
Vespula vulgaris
Wasps may hunt larvae or adults.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
Clouded Yellow ButterflyClouded Yellow Swallowtail
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clouded Yellow's wingspan?
40-52 mm
How big is Clouded Yellow?
20-30 mm
How long does Clouded Yellow live?
60-90 days
How fast can Clouded Yellow fly?
20 km/h
What does Clouded Yellow eat?
Caterpillars munch on legumes, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers.
Where is Clouded Yellow usually found?
Open fields and meadows
How does Clouded Yellow hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Clouded Yellow have?
6
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