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Large Orange Sulphur
ExploreInsects
Large Orange Sulphur
Phoebis agarithe
The Large Orange Sulphur is a bright butterfly with beautiful orange wings. They love to flutter around flowers and are often seen in sunny places, making them a cheerful sight in nature!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Large Orange Sulphur is a medium-sized butterfly, vibrant orange on its upper wings, with males often having a darker border and a small black spot. Females can be orange or a lighter yellow, and both sexes have distinct greenish-yellow undersides, often with silvery spots. This coloration helps them stand out or blend in.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPieridaeGenusPhoebis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Caterpillars of this butterfly often mimic the color of their food plants to hide from predators.
Female sulphurs can lay hundreds of tiny eggs, usually one by one, on their host plants.
Some Large Orange Sulphur butterflies fly thousands of miles in amazing migrations!
Their wings might look plain orange, but they can shimmer with hidden iridescent colors!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Sniffer
Large Orange Sulphur can find sweet flower nectar using its long, straw-like proboscis and sensitive antennae.
Ability
Sun Powered
Large Orange Sulphur can absorb heat from the sun with its dark wing bases, helping it fly faster and stay active.
Ability
Nature's Camouflage
Large Orange Sulphur has greenish-yellow undersides that help them blend in with leaves when their wings are closed.
Ability
Migration Instinct
Large Orange Sulphur can fly hundreds of miles south for winter, just like some birds do!
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 50-70 mm
- Size
- 30-40 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
These butterflies sip sweet flower nectar; their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Age differences: Larvae eat leaves of Senna plants, while adult butterflies drink nectar and fruit juices.
Primary Foods
- flower nectar
- fruit juices
- Senna obtusifolia leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Sicklepod
Senna obtusifolia
Caterpillars eat the leaves of this plant to grow.
pollinates
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Adults drink nectar from flowers, helping them reproduce.
eaten by
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
This lizard may prey on caterpillars or adult butterflies.
Traits
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.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Large Orange Sulphur's wingspan?
50-70 mm
How big is Large Orange Sulphur?
30-40 mm
How long does Large Orange Sulphur live?
7-14 days
How fast can Large Orange Sulphur fly?
15 km/h
What does Large Orange Sulphur eat?
These butterflies sip sweet flower nectar; their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Where is Large Orange Sulphur usually found?
Grasslands
How does Large Orange Sulphur hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Large Orange Sulphur have?
6
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