Cloudless Sulphur

(Phoebis sennae) 

Identification

The male Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is lemon yellow with no markings. The female is yellow or white with irregular black borders on the outer edges of both wings and a dark spot in cell of the upper forewing. The lower surface of the hindwing of both sexes has 2 pink-edged silver spots. The typical wingspan is 2 1/4 to 3 1/8inches (5.7 -8.cm).

The caterpillar is yellowish-green with black and yellow bands.

Habitat

The Cloudless Sulphur prefers open areas such as parks, yards, gardens, beaches, road edges, abandoned fields and scrub.  

Food

Caterpillars eat Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae). The butterfly feeds on nectar from many different flowers with long tubes including Cordia, Bougainvilla, Hibiscus, Lantana, and wild Morning Glory.

Life Cycle

The males patrol with rapid flight, searching for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on young leaves or flower buds of host plants and the caterpillars eat leaves and rest on underside of leaf petioles.

Remarks

First recorded in 1853 by J.L. Hardis the Cloudless Sulphur is a regular migrant to Bermuda. To attract this butterfly to your garden plant Cassia, Lantana, Hibiscus and Bougainvilla.