Colias harfordii

Edwards, 1877

Harford's Sulphur

Colias harfordii, known as Harford's Sulphur, is a in the Pieridae to southern California. The inhabits open chaparral and woodland clearings in coastal ranges and canyons from Kern County to San Diego County. It exhibits a pattern with active in spring and summer, and overwinters as larvae.

Colias harfordii by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Colias harfordii by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Colias harfordii by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colias harfordii: /ˈkoʊliæs ˌhɑrˈfɔːrdi.aɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

A medium-sized sulphur distinguished from other California Colias by its restricted geographic range in southern California coastal ranges and canyons. The pattern (February–May and June–August) may help distinguish it from other regional sulphurs, though specific wing pattern differences require further documentation.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 44–51 mm. are sulphur butterflies with yellow coloration typical of the Colias.

Habitat

Open chaparral and woodland clearings in coastal ranges and canyons.

Distribution

to southern California; found from Kern County south to San Diego County in coastal ranges and canyons.

Seasonality

on wing February to May and June to August; two per year. Overwinters in larval stage.

Diet

feed on flower nectar of thistles and mints. Larvae feed on leaves of Astragalus douglasii.

Host Associations

  • Astragalus douglasii - larval plantLarvae feed on leaves
  • thistles - nectar source
  • mints - nectar source

Life Cycle

Overwinters in larval stage. Two per year with periods in spring (February–May) and summer (June–August). and pupal stage details not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

function as when nectaring on thistles and mints. Larvae are herbivores feeding on Astragalus douglasii.

Similar Taxa

  • Colias eurythemeAlso a yellow sulphur found in California, but has a much broader distribution across North America and is associated with alfalfa and agricultural rather than chaparral and woodland clearings.
  • Other Colias species in CaliforniaRegional sulphurs overlap in general appearance; C. harfordii is distinguished by its restricted southern California coastal range and specific preferences.

More Details

Conservation status

to a restricted range in southern California; vulnerable to loss in chaparral and woodland .

Sources and further reading