Phoebis sennae

Distinguished from similar sulphurs by its larger size and unangled wing margins. The yellow angled-sulphur (Anteos maerula) has distinctly angled wings. The statira sulphur (Aphrissa statira) and other smaller sulphurs are markedly smaller. Females show a characteristic black open square or star on the ventral forewing not present in congeners.

Open spaces including gardens, glades, seashores, and watercourses. Occupies diverse open habitats from subtropical to temperate zones.

Range extends from South America to southern Canada, with core abundance from Argentina through southern Texas, Georgia, and Florida. Regular visitor north of core range, becoming progressively rarer toward northern limits. Recorded as far north as southwestern Ontario.

Breeding season varies by climate: year-round in warmer regions, midsummer to fall in cooler areas. Adults migrate northward seasonally, with peak activity in late summer and fall in temperate regions.

Adults feed on nectar from flowers with long corolla tubes including cordia, bougainvillea, cardinal flower, hibiscus, lantana, and wild morning glory. Larvae feed on legumes (Fabaceae), primarily Senna species (sennas) and partridge peas.

• Senna hebecarpa - larval host and nectar sourceEastern United States
• Senna occidentalis - larval host
• Chamaecrista - larval hostsensitive peas
• Trifolium - larval hostclovers

Complete metamorphosis with four stages. Egg stage lasts approximately six days. Larval development on leguminous host plants. Pupation in pointed, humped chrysalis. Adult emergence with wingspan 55–70 mm. Generation time varies with latitude, with multiple generations per year in southern range and fewer in north.

Strong, fast, direct flight. Seasonal northward migration documented, with individuals traveling substantial distances. Adults frequently visit flowers for nectar. Males patrol for females.

Adults serve as pollinators for diverse flowering plants. Larvae are herbivores on leguminous plants. Documented facultative mutualism with imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in some populations, where ants may protect larvae in exchange for nutritional secretions.

Popular subject for butterfly watching and photography due to conspicuous coloration and active flight. Occasionally encountered in gardens where host plants are present. No significant agricultural or economic impact documented.

• Anteos maerulaYellow angled-sulphur has distinctly angled wing margins versus rounded wings of P. sennae
• Aphrissa statiraStatira sulphur is markedly smaller than P. sennae
• Colias philodiceClouded sulphur is smaller and has different wing pattern and coloration

• butterfly
• migratory
• pollinator
• legume-feeder
• Pieridae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A new population of the federally-endangered decurrent false aster | Beetles In The Bush
• Bug Eric: Grand Finale
• Plantae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 7
• Insecta | Beetles In The Bush | Page 8
• Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Coliadinae)