Pieridae
Guides
Abaeis
Abaeis is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the sulphurs or whites. The genus includes the sleepy orange (Abaeis nicippe), a species found in North America. Members of this genus are typically small to medium-sized butterflies with yellow or orange coloration. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Abaeis nicippe
Sleepy Orange
Abaeis nicippe, commonly known as the Sleepy Orange, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae. The species exhibits seasonal variation in coloration, with summer individuals typically bright orange and winter forms showing darker, more heavily marked wings. It is known for its hilltopping behavior, where males patrol ridge tops and summits to locate females. The species has been documented engaging in aerial competitions with other males when pursuing females.
Anteos
Angled Sulphurs, angled-sulphurs
Anteos is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as angled-sulphurs. The genus contains three recognized species: Anteos clorinde (white angled sulphur), Anteos maerula (angled sulphur), and Anteos menippe (orange-tipped angled-sulphur). These butterflies are found in tropical regions of the Americas. Anteos menippe has been used in physiological research, including the first direct electrocardiographic characterization in Lepidoptera.
Anteos clorinde
white angled-sulphur, ghost brimstone
Anteos clorinde is a large pierid butterfly with a broad Neotropical distribution extending into the southern United States. Adults are characterized by their pale yellow to white wings with distinctive angled margins. The species exhibits year-round flight in tropical regions and seasonal emergence in northern portions of its range. Larval development is tied to host plants in the genus Senna.
Anteos maerula
Yellow Angled-Sulphur, angled sulphur
Anteos maerula is a large Pieridae butterfly commonly known as the yellow angled-sulphur. Its native range extends from Peru through Central America to Mexico, with occasional vagrant individuals recorded as far north as the central and eastern United States. The species is distinguished by its angular wing margins and substantial wingspan, making it one of the larger sulphur butterflies in the Americas.
Anthocharis julia
Julia Orangetip, Southern Rocky Mountain Orangetip
Anthocharis julia is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the Julia Orangetip or Southern Rocky Mountain Orangetip. It is one of three species in the sara species group, distinguished by more than 2% mitochondrial DNA COI barcode divergence from congeners A. sara and A. thoosa. Molecular and morphological evidence consistently support its species status with no detected introgression or hybridization. The species is endemic to the southern Rocky Mountains on the eastern side of the range.
Anthocharis julia browningi
Utah Julia Orangetip
A subspecies of orangetip butterfly endemic to the western United States. The common name "Utah Julia Orangetip" indicates a geographic association with Utah, though precise range boundaries remain poorly documented. As a member of the Pieridae family, it shares the characteristic white or yellow wing bases with orange apical markings typical of the genus Anthocharis.
Anthocharis julia flora
Flora Orangetip
Anthocharis julia flora is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae, first described by Wright in 1892. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive orange-tipped forewings in males. The subspecies is part of the Anthocharis julia species complex, which includes multiple geographically distributed subspecies across western North America.
Anthocharis julia julia
Southern Rocky Mountain orangetip
Anthocharis julia julia is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae, found in the southern Rocky Mountain region. Adults are active in early spring and are distinguished by orange wing tips in males and more subdued coloration in females. The subspecies represents the nominate form of A. julia, described by Edwards in 1872.
Anthocharis lanceolata
Gray Marble
Anthocharis lanceolata, commonly known as the gray marble, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae. First described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1852, this species occurs along the west coast of North America from Canada to the United States. Like other members of the genus Anthocharis, males typically display orange or yellow wing tips. The species is part of a group known for hilltopping behavior, where males patrol ridge tops and summits seeking females.
Anthocharis sara
Sara orangetip, Pacific orangetip
Anthocharis sara is a pierid butterfly native to western North America, ranging from Baja California north to extreme southwestern Oregon and east to the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada. It is one of three distinct species in the Sara orangetip complex, separated from A. julia and A. thoosa by >2% mitochondrial DNA COI barcode divergence and morphological characters of immature stages. The species exhibits strong seasonality with two broods annually and has been documented utilizing diverse mustard family host plants.
Anthocharis sara gunderi
Santa Catalina Orangetip
A subspecies of the Sara Orangetip butterfly endemic to Santa Catalina Island, California. The Santa Catalina Orangetip is distinguished by its island-restricted distribution and subtle morphological differences from mainland populations. Like other orangetips, it displays the characteristic orange wing tips in males, though specific distinguishing features for this subspecies require careful examination.
Anthocharis sara pseudothoosa
False Thoosa Orangetip
A subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is closely related to other Anthocharis sara subspecies and shares the characteristic orange-tipped forewings of the species group. The subspecific epithet 'pseudothoosa' indicates its taxonomic relationship to the nominate form.
Anthocharis sara sara
Sara Orangetip, Pacific Orangetip
Anthocharis sara sara is the nominate subspecies of the Sara orangetip butterfly, ranging along the Pacific coast of North America. Adults display distinctive orange wing tips on otherwise white forewings, with green marbling on the ventral hindwings. The subspecies is associated with coastal and montane habitats where its host plants in the mustard family occur.
Anthocharis sara sempervirens
Sara Orange-Tip
Anthocharis sara sempervirens is a subspecies of the Sara Orange-Tip butterfly, first described in 2008. It belongs to the family Pieridae, which includes the whites and sulphurs. The subspecies epithet "sempervirens" (meaning "evergreen") references the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests with which this butterfly is associated. Like other orange-tips, males display distinctive orange coloration on the forewing tips.
Anthocharis thoosa
Southwestern Orangetip
Anthocharis thoosa is a butterfly in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the southwestern orangetip. It belongs to the Anthocharis sara species group, one of four distinct species groups of North American Anthocharis. DNA barcoding studies confirm it as a valid species, separated from A. sara and A. julia by more than 2% COI sequence divergence. It exhibits the largest intraspecific barcode divergence within its species group, with identifiable haplotypes across different metapopulations.
Anthocharis thoosa colorado
Anthocharis thoosa colorado is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Pieridae, described by Scott & Fisher in 2008. It was originally described as Anthocharis sara colorado. The taxon belongs to a genus commonly known as orangetips, recognized for the orange apical markings on the forewings of males. Information specific to this subspecies is extremely limited.
Anthocharis thoosa inghami
Ingham's Orangetip
Anthocharis thoosa inghami is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is one of several recognized subspecies of Anthocharis thoosa, a species complex distributed across western North America. Like other orangetips, adults are active in early spring and are associated with specific larval host plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The subspecies epithet 'inghami' honors a collector or researcher, following standard entomological naming conventions.
Aphrissa
sulphurs, sulfurs
Aphrissa is a genus of sulphur butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising approximately eight species distributed across Central and South America, with some species extending into the Caribbean and southern Florida. The genus was established by Butler in 1873. Species within Aphrissa are characterized by yellow to pale orange wings and are commonly known as sulphurs or sulfurs. Several species exhibit migratory behavior, most notably Aphrissa statira, which undertakes seasonal movements in large numbers.
Aphrissa neleis
Pink-spot Sulphur
Aphrissa neleis, commonly known as the Pink-spot Sulphur, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae. The species was originally described as Callidryas neleis by Boisduval in 1836. It belongs to a genus of sulphur butterflies found in the Neotropical region.
Aphrissa statira
statira sulphur
Aphrissa statira is a medium-sized yellow butterfly known for its dramatic annual migrations in tropical regions of the Americas. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males displaying brighter lemon-yellow upper wings and females appearing paler yellow to greenish-white. It has been extensively studied for its navigational abilities, including use of Earth's magnetic field for orientation during migration. The species ranges from the southern United States through Central America to northern Argentina, with notable population densities in the Amazon basin.
Ascia monuste
Great Southern White, pirpinto
Ascia monuste, commonly known as the Great Southern White, is a pierid butterfly and the sole member of its genus. It is a Brassicaceae specialist and a major herbivore of this plant family in the Neotropical region. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females occurring in both light and dark color morphs. It ranges from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States through tropical America to Argentina, with migratory behavior along the southeastern U.S. coast.
Coliadinae
Yellows, Sulphurs, Yellows and Sulphurs
Coliadinae is a subfamily of Pieridae butterflies comprising approximately 300 described species, commonly known as yellows or sulphurs for their characteristic coloration. The subfamily is divided into two well-supported monophyletic groups: the Coliadini (clouded yellows, brimstones, and sulphurs) and the Euremini (grass yellows). Many species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, with males often displaying ultraviolet-reflective wing patches absent in females. The group has a global distribution with particularly high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.
Colias behrii
Behr's sulphur, Sierra green sulfur, Sierra Sulphur
Colias behrii is a small alpine butterfly endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, restricted to high-elevation habitats mostly around and above 9,000 feet. It has a wingspan of 35–42 mm and is active from July to August. The species has been subject to genetic study revealing a historical range-wide bottleneck approximately 531–281 years ago, coinciding with a period of global cooling.
Colias christina
Christina Sulphur
Colias christina is a Pierid butterfly endemic to western North America, ranging from the Yukon and Northwest Territories south through the Canadian prairie provinces to the northern Rocky Mountain states of the United States. The species was named in 1863 by William Henry Edwards in honor of its first collector, Christina Ross. Adults display sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and are active from May through September.
Colias gigantea
Giant Sulphur, Giant Northern Sulfur
Colias gigantea, the giant sulphur, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae found across northern North America. It inhabits tundra and willow bog habitats from Alaska eastward across Canada to the Atlantic coast, with disjunct populations in the northern Rocky Mountains. Adults are active from June through early August, with larvae feeding exclusively on willow species (Salix spp.) and adults taking flower nectar.
Colias hecla
Hecla Sulphur, Northern Clouded Yellow
A small to medium-sized sulphur butterfly of the Pieridae family, restricted to high-latitude and high-altitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species shows pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with females displaying distinctive yellow 'windows' interrupting the black marginal band. First described from Greenland, where it occurs without congeners. Multiple subspecies are recognized across its fragmented Holarctic range.
Colias interior
pink-edged sulphur
Colias interior, commonly known as the pink-edged sulphur, is a North American butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is the state butterfly of Maine. The species is univoltine, with adults active from June through August. Females lay eggs on blueberry plants (Vaccinium species), and larvae feed primarily on Vaccinium myrtilloides. The species enters diapause as larvae and is known to hybridize with the multivoltine Colias philodice, with hybrids exhibiting abnormal diapause dynamics.
Colias meadii
Mead's Sulphur, Mead's Sulfur
Colias meadii, known as Mead's Sulphur, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae native to the Rocky Mountains of North America. It inhabits high-elevation arctic-alpine environments near or at tree line. The species is active during mid-summer, with adults flying from July to August. It exhibits the yellow-orange wing coloration typical of sulphur butterflies, with a wingspan of 35–44 mm.
Colias occidentalis
western sulphur, golden sulphur
Colias occidentalis is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae, found in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Adults fly from late May to early July and are associated with open habitats from sea level to subalpine elevations. The larvae feed on flowers of several legume genera. The species was described by Scudder in 1862 and includes three recognized subspecies with somewhat distinct geographic ranges.
Colias palaeno
Moorland Clouded Yellow, Palaeno Sulphur, Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow
Colias palaeno is a Holarctic butterfly species in the family Pieridae, occurring across northern Eurasia and North America. It inhabits moorlands, bogs, and open coniferous forests, with southern populations restricted to high alpine zones above 1,500 meters. The species has experienced significant declines in parts of its European range, particularly in Bavaria, where larval survival depends critically on microclimatic conditions associated with Sphagnum moss. It is univoltine, with adults flying from June to August.
Colias scudderii
Scudder's Sulphur, willow sulphur
Colias scudderii, commonly known as Scudder's Sulphur or the willow sulphur, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It inhabits mountain meadows and willow bogs across a broad elevational range from Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to northern New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 38–51 mm and is active during summer months. Larvae feed exclusively on willow species (Salix), with later instars overwintering.
Colias tyche
Booth's sulphur, pale Arctic clouded yellow
Colias tyche is a small to medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae, distinguished by its pale green to greenish-white or greenish-yellow wings with visible brown veins and grey-green suffusion on the hindwing bases. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing borders: males have dark borders with pale yellow spots, while females have wider dark borders with black spots. It is one of the northernmost Colias species, with a Holarctic distribution spanning Arctic and subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia. The species name references Tyche, the Greek deity of chance and luck.
Euchloe
Dappled Whites, Marbles
Euchloe is a genus of pierid butterflies in the tribe Anthocharini with a Holarctic distribution spanning Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Old World species are commonly called dappled whites, while New World species are known as marbles. The genus includes approximately 30 described species, with several exhibiting narrow endemic ranges and conservation concern. Some species demonstrate remarkable camouflage abilities through background matching and wing-folding behavior.
Euchloe ausonides
Large Marble, Creamy Marblewing
Euchloe ausonides, commonly known as the Large Marble or Creamy Marblewing, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae native to western North America. The species exhibits remarkable camouflage behavior, with adults capable of orienting themselves against backgrounds to render nearly invisible despite their contrasting wing patterns. Population declines have been documented in California since the 1980s, particularly in the Central Valley and Bay Area, with the species now considered regionally extinct at low-elevation sites in some areas. One subspecies, E. a. insulanus (Island Marble), is federally endangered and endemic to the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Euchloe ausonides coloradensis
Large Marble
Euchloe ausonides coloradensis is a subspecies of the Large Marble butterfly, a member of the Pieridae family. This subspecies occurs in the northern Great Plains and Canadian prairie provinces. The Large Marble complex has experienced significant regional declines in parts of its range, particularly in California where related populations have undergone documented crashes attributed to climate change and other factors. Adults display distinctive marbled hindwing undersides that provide effective camouflage when perched.
Euchloe hyantis
pearly marble, pearly marblewing, California marble
A small Pieridae butterfly of western North America with distinctive marbled underwings. Adults fly in spring and early summer, with one generation annually. Males exhibit hilltopping behavior along ridgelines. The species has been documented feeding on Brassicaceae flowers and fruits, particularly Streptanthus species. Chrysalids overwinter.
Euchloe hyantis hyantis
Pearly Marble
A subspecies of marble butterfly in the family Pieridae. Males are known for hilltopping behavior, flying swiftly along ridgelines to locate females. The species ranges from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico, west of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are fast and erratic in flight, rarely pausing except briefly at flowers. The common name refers to the pearly, marbled pattern on the hindwing underside.
Euchloe hyantis lotta
Euchloe hyantis lotta is a subspecies of Pearly Marble butterfly in the family Pieridae. The parent species E. hyantis ranges from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico west of the Rocky Mountains. Males of the species engage in hilltopping behavior, flying swiftly along ridgelines to intercept females. The subspecies lotta was described by Beutenmüller in 1898 and is currently treated as a synonym of Euchloe lotta.
Euchloe olympia
Olympia Marble
Euchloe olympia, the Olympia Marble, is a pierid butterfly native to central North America. It is distinguished from congeners by its distinctive phenotype and genotype, particularly in relation to E. guaymasensis. The species has been classified globally as G5/G4, indicating relative stability, though it faces threats from gypsy moth chemical control programs. A study in central Illinois documented consistent nectar source preferences: Lepidium virginicum for larvae and Nuttallanthus canadensis for adults.
Eurema
Grass Yellows, Grass Yellow
Eurema is a widespread genus of grass yellow butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising over 70 species distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Oceania, and the New World. The genus exhibits remarkable evolutionary phenomena including Wolbachia-induced feminization in multiple species, where genetic males are converted into functional females. Many species are characterized by seasonal diphenism—producing distinct wet-season and dry-season wing morphs. The type species is the North American barred yellow (Eurema daira).
Eurema albula
Ghost Yellow
Eurema albula, commonly known as the ghost yellow, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It ranges from southern Texas through the West Indies and tropical Central and South America to Brazil. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and feed on flower nectar. The species inhabits tropical forests and second-growth vegetation.
Eurema boisduvaliana
Boisduval's Yellow
Eurema boisduvaliana, commonly known as Boisduval's yellow, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found from Costa Rica north to Mexico, with regular seasonal migration to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and southern Texas. Rare strays have been recorded in southern Florida. The species inhabits subtropical forests, forest edges, scrublands, roadsides, and pastures.
Eurema mexicana
Mexican yellow, wolf-face sulphur
Eurema mexicana is a medium-sized yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae, primarily distributed in Mexico with occasional northward strays into the southwestern and central United States. The species is distinguished by a distinctive black forewing border forming a 'wolf-face' or 'dog-face' pattern, and exhibits seasonal color variation on the wing underside. Males patrol hilltops and open areas seeking females throughout the day.
Eurema salome
Salome yellow
Eurema salome is a small yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the Salome yellow. It ranges from Peru northward through tropical America and is an extremely rare migrant to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. The species inhabits forest openings, edges, and roadcuts, with adults active year-round in the tropics and from August to September in southern Texas.
Ganyra
Ganyra is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus contains three recognized species: Ganyra howarthi, Ganyra josephina, and Ganyra phaloe. Members of this genus are part of the whites and sulfurs group, characterized by their generally pale wing coloration. The genus was established by Billberg in 1820.
Ganyra josephina
Giant White
Ganyra josephina, commonly known as the giant white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is one of the larger species in its family, with a wingspan reaching up to 96 mm. The species exhibits considerable geographic variation across its broad range, with five recognized subspecies distributed from the southern United States through the Caribbean and Central America to northern South America. Adults are primarily active in late summer and autumn in the northern parts of their range.
Itaballia
Itaballia is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising three described species distributed across Central and South America. The genus was established by Kaye in 1904. Species within this genus include the crossbarred white (I. demophile), I. marana, and the brown-bordered white (I. pandosia), the latter noted as a mimic of Pisonis.
Melete lycimnia
common melwhite, primrose flag, lycimnia white flag
Melete lycimnia is a butterfly in the family Pieridae found from Texas to Bolivia. It inhabits lowland rainforests and exhibits considerable subspecific variation in coloration, ranging from white with narrow black borders to primrose yellow with wide brown borders. The species has been documented with numerous subspecies across Central and South America.
Nathalis
Nathalis is a small genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, containing two recognized species. The genus is notable for including the dainty sulphur (Nathalis iole), one of the smallest butterflies in North America. Species in this genus occur from North America through Central America to northern South America. The genus has been subject to behavioral study, with research documenting courtship displays in N. iole.