© Cathy Cook

St. Vrain State Park

Appearance: Upper side of male is orange, females more yellowish or even white; both with wide black wing borders and a dark median cell spot toward the leading edge of the wing . Underside of both is yellow with a silver or white hindwing spot trimmed with brown concentric rings. Spot sometimes has a smaller “satellite” spot above. Flight is erratic, but direct.

Size: Medium, 1 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches

Habitat: Wide spread in cultivated fields, meadows, parks, and certainly alfalfa fields

Season: Flies spring to fall; multiple broods.

Larval Foodplant: Alfalfa, clovers and vetches

Did You Know...
Caterpillars overwinter in the chrysalis stage. Orange Sulphurs occasionally hybridize with Clouded Sulphurs and some individuals are extremely difficult to identify. While some agriculturists consider them a pest, they are thought to provide pollination services “free of charge.”