Little Yellow (Little Sulphur)

  • Family name: Pieridae/Whites and Sulphurs
  • General description: yellow to pale whitish-yellow (females) with black forewing apex; hindwing with narrow black margin, often reduced to series of black patches in females. Ventral hindwing yellow to pale whitish-yellow with two tiny black basal spots, small irregular dark pattern elements, and a pinkish patch (sometimes absent) along the upper margin. Winter form (dry season) individuals darker and more heavily patterned below with dark pink wing fringes.
  • Field Marks: yellow with black forewing apex; ventral hindwing with two tiny black basal spots
  • Sexes: appear similar
  • Wingspan: 25-35 mm
  • Life Cycle: Egg: whitish-yellow, spindle-shaped, laid singly on host leaves Mature larva: green with narrow lateral white stripe Chrysalis: green
  • Number of Generations: multiple
  • Flight Season: All year
  • Abundance: Common
  • Habitat: forest margins, disturbed sites, fields, roadsides
  • Larval Host Plants: Partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), sensitive pea (Cassia nictitans)
  • Similar Species: No similar species
  • Additional Information: Adults overwinter in reproductive diapause. Often found alongside Barred Sulphur and Dainty Sulphur. Range is limited in Arizona and New Mexico.
  • Range in Florida

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