Colias gigantea

Strecker, 1900

Giant Sulphur, Giant Northern Sulfur

Colias gigantea, the giant sulphur, is a -sized in the found across northern North America. It inhabits tundra and willow bog from Alaska eastward across Canada to the Atlantic coast, with in the northern Rocky Mountains. are active from June through early August, with feeding exclusively on willow (Salix spp.) and adults taking flower nectar.

Colias erate gigantea female 03 dorsal side ZISP by Josef Grieshuber. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Colias gigantea pelidneides female 01 underside of labels ZISP by Josef Grieshuber. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Colias erate gigantea female 03 labels ZISP by Josef Grieshuber. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colias gigantea: //ˈkoʊ.li.əs dʒɪˈɡæn.ti.ə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other North sulphurs by its larger size (wingspan to 55 mm versus typically 30–45 mm in related ) and its restriction to northern and tundra . The combination of large size, geographic range, and habitat specificity separates it from the more widespread Colias philodice and Colias eurytheme. C. g. harroweri in the Rocky Mountain states may show geographic variation in coloration.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 37–55 mm. Coloration typical of sulphur (-orange ground color with dark borders), though specific pattern details are not well documented in available sources. The "giant sulphur" refers to its relatively large size compared to other Colias .

Habitat

Tundra and willow bogs. Occupies open, wet in the northern zone where willow shrubs provide larval .

Distribution

Alaska across Canada to the east coast, including Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. in Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon ( C. g. harroweri).

Seasonality

period from June until early August. Single-brooded or with limited second in southern parts of range.

Diet

feed on Salix spp. (willows). feed on flower nectar.

Host Associations

Salix - larval -level association; specific willow not documented in available sources

Life Cycle

with . laid on plants. Larval development on willow foliage. presumably on or near host plants, though pupal stage details are not documented. in early summer.

Ecological Role

serve as when nectaring. are that consume willow foliage. Part of the and fauna adapted to short growing seasons.

Similar Taxa

Colias philodiceOverlaps in eastern Canada; smaller size (wingspan ~35–45 mm) and preference for open fields and meadows rather than tundra/willow bogs
Colias eurythemeSouthern distribution, associated with agricultural areas and alfalfa fields; smaller and more orange in coloration
Colias interiorAnother northern sulphur with overlapping range; distinguished by preference and subtle pattern differences

More Details

Subspecies

Three recognized: C. g. gigantea (nominate, throughout main Canadian range); C. g. harroweri Klots, 1940 (Wyoming, Montana, Oregon); C. g. mayi F. & R. Chermock, 1940 (distribution not specified in available sources)