Cloudless sulphur

Phoebis sennae

The cloudless sulphur or cloudless giant sulphur is a midsized butterfly in the family Pieridae found in the New World. There are several similar species such as the yellow angled-sulphur, which has angled wings, or other sulphurs, which are much smaller.
Cloudless Sulfur Larva (Phoebis sennae) On Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), one of its known host plants. I was surprised at how much this looks like the pods of the partridge pea plant (when flattened out)! I almost passed it by for that reason! Thanks to Barry for bringing up the bright color/possible aposematism here! It turns out that the host plants (Senna, Cassia, and Chamaecrista sp.) are all poisonous species. So larvae like this one that (pretty much exclusively) feed on them accumulate a toxic deterrent! I found this while taking my first count for the Great Georgia Pollinator Census! https://www.jungledragon.com/image/83471/cloudless_sulfur_larva_phoebis_sennae.html Cloudless sulphur,Geotagged,Phoebis sennae,Summer,United States,aposematic,aposematism,caterpillar,caterpillars,gold,larva,larvae,yellow

Naming

Listed alphabetically.
⤷ "P. s. amphitrite"
⤷ "P. s. sennae" or "P. s. eubule"
⤷ "P. s. marcellina"
Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) Butterfly on Ironweed (Vernonia sp.) at a meadowy clearing near a wetland/forest habitat. Cloudless sulphur,Geotagged,Phoebis sennae,Summer,United States

Distribution

Their range is wide, from South America to southern Canada, in particular southwestern Ontario. They are most common from Argentina to southern Texas and Florida, but are often visitors outside this range becoming more rare further north.
Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) A Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly I saw on our ixora flowers during a morning of intermittent showers and harsh sunlight. On another note, hi everyone, I've really missed JD for the past few months and I've got lots to post! Animalia,Animals,Caribbean,Cloudless sulphur,Insecta,Insects,Lepidoptera,Phoebis sennae,Trinidad and Tobago

Behavior

The breeding season is dependent on the climate of the area, from midsummer to fall in the cooler areas, to year-round where the climate is warmer.
Cloudless Sulfur Larva (Phoebis sennae) On Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), one of its known host plants. Its host plants (Senna, Cassia, and Chamaecrista sp.) are all poisonous species. So larvae like this one that (pretty much exclusively) feed on them accumulate a toxic deterrent! Even Jason sees how I think they are somewhat camouflaging themselves as the "peas" (despite the aposematic coloration)! Look at the pods in the background in comparison! At a meadowy powerline cut near a wetland/lake re-regulation reservoir. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84574/cloudless_sulfur_larva_phoebis_sennae.html Cloudless sulphur,Geotagged,Phoebis sennae,Summer,United States

Habitat

The common habitats of this butterfly are open spaces, gardens, glades, seashores, and watercourses.

References:

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