The Cloudless Sulphur is a large, bright yellow butterfly commonly found across most of the mainland United States. It is especially prevalent in the eastern states and southern regions of the West, though it can occasionally be seen as far north as Canada. Males are solid yellow, while females have a dark black border on the upper side of their wings and can range in color from yellow to pale white.

 

“Cloudless Sulphur” by Adam Skowronski, licensed under (CC  BY-ND 2.0)

 

Cloudless Sulphur Facts

Butterfly Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Coliadinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 1/4 – 3 1/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Disturbed open areas including parks, yards, gardens, beaches, road edges, and abandoned fields

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Coffeeweed (Senna obtusifolia)

• Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

• Septicweed (Senna occidentalis)

• Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Cloudless Sulphur butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of native flowers:

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

• Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

• Phlox (Phlox spp.)

• Verbena (Verbena spp.)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)