Southern Dogface

  • Family name: Pieridae/Whites and Sulphurs
  • General description: yellow; forewing with pointed apex, round black cell spot, black basal scaling and irregular broad black border forming dog’s head pattern. Black markings reduced and less intense in females. Ventral hindwing yellow in summer form (wet season) individuals or with increased pink scaling in winter form (dry season) individuals.
  • Field Marks: forewing apex pointed; forewing with round black cell spot and irregular broad black border

Southern Dogface larva

  • Sexes: appear different
  • Wingspan: 50-65 mm
  • Life Cycle: Egg: whitish-yellow, spindle-shaped, laid singly on host leaves Mature larva: green or green with black lines or bands Chrysalis: green
  • Number of Generations: Three or more
  • Flight Season: All year
  • Abundance: Common
  • Habitat: old fields, open pinelands, oak scrub, forest margins
  • Larval Host Plants: Bastard Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), summer farewell (Dalea candida)
  • Similar Species: Cloudless Sulphur
  • Additional Information: Adults overwinter in reproductive diapause. Black dog’s head pattern typically only visible during flight.
  • Range in Florida

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