Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2
Colias harfordii
This record describes Colias harfordii (species). Recorded family: Pieridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Photos of dorsal and ventral views can be found at Butterflies of America Very like Alexandra Sulphur above, but apparently no white female form. Below like Clouded Sulphur, except discal spot below often (usually?) without a small satellite spot. Orange sulphur with wings somewhat different in shape, usually with orange above, dark borders wide and prominent on both males and females, more smooth scaling below, nearly always with satellite spot, and white females common.
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
Chaparral, woodland clearings
Geographic Range
Southern California, coastal ranges, south to northern Baja California.
Seasonal Activity
February-May and from June-August (two flights).
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on Rattleweed, Astragalus douglasii .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Colias harfordii. 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 Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Hartmut Wisch , Maury Heiman , David Ferguson , Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2
What is Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2?
Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2 (Colias harfordii) is a species in the family Pieridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2?
Wingspan 44-51 mm
How do you identify Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2?
Photos of dorsal and ventral views can be found at Butterflies of America Very like Alexandra Sulphur above, but apparently no white female form. Below like Clouded Sulphur, except discal spot below often (usually?) without a small satellite spot. Orange sulphur with wings somewhat different in shape, usually with orange above, dark borders wide and prominent on both males and females, more smooth scaling below, nearly always with satellite spot, and white females common.
Where is Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Chaparral, woodland clearings |
| Range | Southern California, coastal ranges, south to northern Baja California. |
When is Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2 active?
Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2: seasonal activity - February-May and from June-August (two flights)..
What is the life cycle of a Harford's Sulphur - Hodges#4211.2?
Larvae feed on Rattleweed, Astragalus douglasii .