Anteos clorinde

Distinguished from other Anteos species by the combination of pale coloration and strongly angled wing margins. Most similar to Anteos maerula (yellow angled-sulphur), which has brighter yellow coloration; A. clorinde is noticeably paler, approaching white. Differs from Phoebis sulphurs by the angled rather than rounded wing margins and generally paler ground color. In flight, the large size and slow, sailing wingbeats are characteristic.

Wingspan 70–90 mm. Wings pale yellow to white with distinctly angled or notched outer margins, particularly on the forewings. Upper wing surfaces relatively unmarked; undersides may show faint greenish or grayish scaling. Body slender, typical of the genus. Sexes similar, though females may appear slightly paler or more greenish-tinged.

Tropical and subtropical open habitats including forest edges, river corridors, agricultural areas, and disturbed vegetation. Associated with lowland to mid-elevation areas where host plants occur. In northern range, found in riparian zones and subtropical thorn scrub.

Neotropical region: South America, Central America, and southern North America (southern United States). Records from Colombia (Bucaramanga, Villavicencio), Ecuador, and Mexico. In the United States, occurs primarily in southern Texas and Arizona.

Year-round flight in tropical portions of range. In northern areas (southern United States), active primarily August to December, with peak activity in late summer and fall.

Larvae feed on Senna spectabilis (Fabaceae). Adult feeding habits not documented in available sources.

• Senna spectabilis - larval host plant

Complete metamorphosis typical of Lepidoptera. Specific details of egg, larval instars, pupal stage, and generation time not documented in available sources. Presumably multivoltine in tropical range.

Adults exhibit strong, direct flight and are known to migrate or disperse northward seasonally. Males patrol for females and may congregate at moist ground or other resources. Flight pattern described as slow and sailing, with intermittent gliding.

Adults may function as pollinators; larvae are specialist herbivores on Senna. Specific ecological impacts not documented.

Occasional stray individuals reach the United States and may attract butterfly enthusiasts. Not known to be of agricultural or economic significance. Featured in regional butterfly field guides.

• Anteos maerulaYellow angled-sulphur; similar size and wing shape but distinctly yellow rather than pale/white coloration
• Phoebis sennaeCloudless sulphur; similar pale color but has rounded wing margins and lacks the characteristic angled wing shape of Anteos
• Phoebis agaritheLarge orange sulphur; overlaps in range and habitat but orange-yellow coloration and rounded wings distinguish it

• butterfly
• Pieridae
• Neotropical
• migratory
• Senna specialist

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life