# Orange Sulphur (*Colias eurytheme*) The Orange Sulphur is a bright butterfly with beautiful orange wings. It flutters around gardens and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 28 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Orange Butterfly ![Orange Sulphur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/McGeorge_Colias_eurytheme.JPG&width=800) Photo: IvanTortuga, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McGeorge_Colias_eurytheme.JPG) ## Appearance The Orange Sulphur has vibrant orange-yellow upperwings with distinct dark borders, especially noticeable on males. Females can be lighter orange or even white, often with more smudgy dark markings. A small black spot is typically visible on each forewing. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Pieridae - **Genus:** Colias ## Interesting facts - If you see a butterfly sipping from a mud puddle, it's actually getting vital minerals like a tiny juice box! - In warm places, the Orange Sulphur can have up to five generations of butterflies hatch in just one year! - Some female Orange Sulphurs are genetically bright white instead of orange, making them look totally different! - They are sometimes called "Alfalfa Butterflies" because their caterpillars love to munch on alfalfa plants! ## Special abilities - **Rapid Flight:** Orange Sulphur can fly surprisingly fast, up to 25 km/h, which helps them escape predators and find mates quickly. - **Color Twist:** Orange Sulphur has a special genetic trait where some females are bright white instead of orange, which helps them blend in. - **Solar Powered:** Orange Sulphur can sunbathe to warm up its flight muscles, which helps it become active and fly quickly on cool mornings. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-60 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers! - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Alfalfa nectar, Clover nectar, Dandelion nectar, Vetch leaves, Alfalfa leaves, Clover leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Adults sip nectar and transfer pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adults visit for nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Kingbirds are aerial insect hunters. ## Traits - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [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 It's best to watch butterflies from a distance and not try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Orange 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 Orange Sulphur's wingspan? 35-60 mm ### How big is Orange Sulphur? 15-25 mm ### How long does Orange Sulphur live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Orange Sulphur fly? 25 km/h ### What does Orange Sulphur eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers! ### Where is Orange Sulphur usually found? Grasslands ### How does Orange Sulphur hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-valley-arboretum-and-botanic-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Orange Sulphur](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/orange-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: [Orange Sulphur: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orange-sulphur)