Phoebis agarithe

Distinguished from the smaller Phoebis sennae (Cloudless Sulphur) by larger size, brighter orange color, and presence of dark marginal markings on forewing. Separated from Phoebis philea (Orange-barred Sulphur) by lack of orange bar on hindwing underside. Females may resemble female Phoebis argante but differ in wing shape and pattern details. In the United States, most likely to be confused with Phoebis sennae, from which it differs in color intensity and marking pattern.

Wingspan 57–86 mm. Upper surface of wings bright orange with dark brown to blackish marginal band on forewing, more extensive in females. Hindwing typically lacks marginal markings. Underside pale yellow to orange with scattered dark spots. Sexes similar but females generally larger with more extensive dark markings. Antennae clubbed, typical of family.

Open tropical and subtropical lowlands including gardens, pastures, road edges, trails, parks, and disturbed areas. Occupies both natural and anthropogenic open habitats. Not associated with closed canopy forest.

Native range extends from Peru north through Central America and the Caribbean to southern Texas and peninsular Florida. Rare strays documented as far north as Colorado, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. Introduced and established in Hawaii.

Adults active year-round in tropical portions of range. In southern Texas, flight period primarily August to September. Seasonality in subtropical United States likely corresponds to warm months with peak activity late summer.

Adults feed on flower nectar, with documented preference for lantana, shepherd's needle, bougainvillea, rose periwinkle, Turk's cap, and hibiscus. Larvae feed on fresh leaves of Pithecellobium and Inga species (Fabaceae).

• Pithecellobium - larval hostfresh leaves
• Inga - larval hostfresh leaves

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Larvae feed on leaves of host plants in Fabaceae. Specific details of pupation site and overwintering strategy not documented in sources.

Strong, direct flight typical of genus. Adults frequently observed nectaring at flowers. Males may engage in hilltopping behavior though this is not explicitly documented for this species. Flight active during daylight hours.

Adults function as pollinators when nectaring. Larvae serve as herbivores on host legumes. Specific ecological interactions beyond these general roles not documented.

Occasional garden visitor valued for bright coloration. Introduced to Hawaii, presumably for aesthetic purposes. Not known to be economically significant as pest or beneficial species. Subject of butterfly watching and photography.

• Phoebis sennaeSimilar size and habitat use; differs in pale yellow to greenish coloration lacking dark forewing margins, and smaller average size
• Phoebis phileaSimilar orange coloration; distinguished by presence of orange bar on hindwing underside and different wing shape
• Phoebis arganteFemales may resemble female P. agarithe; differs in wing pattern details and geographic distribution

• butterfly
• sulphur
• Pieridae
• nectar feeder
• legume feeder
• tropical
• subtropical
• introduced species
• vagrant

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