Cloudless Sulphur

The cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae) is a large, striking butterfly in the family Pieridae found throughout the Americas, ranging from South America through Central America, the Caribbean, and North America north to southern Canada during summer migrations. Males are brilliant, uniform lemon-yellow above, among the most intensely colored butterflies in North America, while females are yellow to white with variable dark marginal markings and a small dark spot on each wing. Adults have a wingspan of 58–80 mm and are strong, fast fliers capable of crossing open water during migration. The larval foodplants are Senna species (formerly Cassia), leguminous shrubs and trees widespread in disturbed habitats, roadsides, and second growth from which the species benefits. Adults take nectar from a wide variety of flowers, with a preference for long, tubular orange and red flowers including Bougainvillea, Lantana, and Impatiens. The cloudless sulphur undergoes impressive autumn southward migrations in eastern North America, with large aggregations recorded moving along coastlines in September and October. It is one of the most commonly encountered large butterflies in garden and disturbed habitats across its range.