Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229
Phoebis philea
This record describes Phoebis philea (species). Recorded family: Pieridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Below, similar to the more widespread Cloudless Sulphur, but more orange, especially at the rear of hindwings (female). Slightly larger than Cloudless Sulphur. The male has few markings but the upperside of the forewing has an orange patch. The female color ranges from yellow to white, with a broad orange-tinged band on the edge of the upper hindwing, and more(and darker) spotting than the male. Larva is usually green with black stripes, although a yellow form also occurs when it feeds on yellow flowers of its host plant. Common in southern Florida. Glassberg states that this species colonized Florida only in the 1920's.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Pieridae (Whites, Sulphurs, Yellows)
- Subfamily
- Coliadinae
- Genus
- Phoebis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens, edges of woods, roadsides
Geographic Range
TX, FL with strays to the north and west / south to Brazil / W. Indies - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
In south Florida, 2-3 broods through spring and summer. All year in tropics.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar.
Life History
Larvae feed on Cassia species, as do other members of the genus Phoebis. The Orange-barred Sulphur especially likes Candlebush, Cassia (Senna) alata, as a hostplant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phoebis philea. 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 Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Mike Quinn , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229
What is Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229?
Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 (Phoebis philea) is a species in the family Pieridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229?
Wingspan 70 -100 mm Larva to about 60 mm
How do you identify Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229?
Below, similar to the more widespread Cloudless Sulphur, but more orange, especially at the rear of hindwings (female). Slightly larger than Cloudless Sulphur. The male has few markings but the upperside of the forewing has an orange patch. The female color ranges from yellow to white, with a broad orange-tinged band on the edge of the upper hindwing, and more(and darker) spotting than the male. Larva is usually green with black stripes, although a yellow form also occurs when it feeds on yellow flowers of its host plant.
Where is Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Gardens, edges of woods, roadsides |
| Range | TX, FL with strays to the north and west / south to Brazil / W. Indies - Map (MPG) |
What does Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 eat?
The diet of the Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 includes Adults take nectar..
When is Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229 active?
Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229: seasonal activity - In south Florida, 2-3 broods through spring and summer. All year in tropics..
What is the life cycle of a Orange-barred Sulphur - Hodges#4229?
Larvae feed on Cassia species, as do other members of the genus Phoebis. The Orange-barred Sulphur especially likes Candlebush, Cassia (Senna) alata, as a hostplant.