Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222
Colias gigantea
This record describes Colias gigantea (species). Recorded family: Pieridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Upper surface of male yellow with narrow black borders; lower surface without submarginal black spots. Female with 2 forms, yellow or white; both may have black border reduced or lacking.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Pieridae (Whites, Sulphurs, Yellows)
- Subfamily
- Coliadinae
- Genus
- Colias
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Willow bogs.
Geographic Range
Alaska south along Rocky Mountains to Wyoming.
Seasonal Activity
One flight from June-July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillar hosts: Dwarf willow (Salix reticulata). Adult food: Flower nectar.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Colias gigantea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Beatriz Moisset , Matthew Roth
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222
What is Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222?
Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 (Colias gigantea) is a species in the family Pieridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222?
Wing span: 2 - 2 3/4 inches (5.1 - 7 cm).
How do you identify Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222?
Upper surface of male yellow with narrow black borders; lower surface without submarginal black spots. Female with 2 forms, yellow or white; both may have black border reduced or lacking.
Where is Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Willow bogs. |
| Range | Alaska south along Rocky Mountains to Wyoming. |
What does Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 eat?
The diet of the Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 includes Caterpillar hosts: Dwarf willow (Salix reticulata). Adult food: Flower nectar..
When is Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222 active?
Giant Sulphur - Hodges#4222: seasonal activity - One flight from June-July..