Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)

Widespread and common in NC, this species can be found all year given appropriate weather!
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
23 May 2020

Same individual under different lighting


Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
12 May 2023

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC
13 May 2017
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC
2 Oct 2011

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Moses Cone, Watauga Co., NC
6 Oct 2023uganda

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
20 Sep 2020

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
16 Mar 2023

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
29 Apr 2023

Despite the narrow black FW border, the amount of orange visible on the FW indicates this species is more likely than Clouded Sulphur


#1607
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
16 Mar 2023

Despite no obvious orange showing through the forewing, I suspect this may be an Orange Sulphur. However, both Orange and Clouded Sulphurs fly simultaneously at this site, so I cannot rule out Clouded with confidence at this time.

These photos show each side of the same individual.


#1576
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
16 Mar 2023

I am not confident whether this is an Orange or Clouded Sulphur. Opinions always welcome!

These photos show each side of the same individual.


#1621
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
16 Mar 2023
#1591
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cates Farm Park, Alamance Co., NC
16 Mar 2023

#2173
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brumley Nature Preserve, Orange Co., NC
18 Apr 2023
#1880
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brumley Nature Preserve, Orange Co., NC
5 Apr 2023

#2423
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brumley Nature Preserve, Orange Co., NC
4 May 2023

Orange Sulphur "albino" female
Orange Co., NC
9 Nov 2023

Since "albino" Orange and Clouded sulphurs cannot be separted in the field, this could be a Clouded Sulphur. However, I suspect Orange Sulphur is much more likely.


Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Bodie Island, Dare Co., NC
20 Oct 2023
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Bodie Island, Dare Co., NC
20 Oct 2023

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Mated pair with the more richly colored male on top and the pale female below.


Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Weymouth Woods, Moore Co., NC
20 May 2009

The richness of color varies greatly from individual to individual.


Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)

Two different individuals Photographed in flight at 1/1000 sec to show topside of wing.

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Chatham Co., NC
20 Oct 2005
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Chatham Co., NC
20 Oct 2005

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Chatham Co., NC
20 Oct 2005

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Worn individual, nectaring on Aster grandiflorus

Chatham Co., NC
26 Sep 2004

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Buncombe Co., NC
26 June 2004
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Hillsdale Co., MI
30 June 2004

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Co., NC
3 Oct 2004
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Nectaring on Carolina Vetch (Vicia caroliniana)
Shocco Creek Gamelands
Franklin Co., NC
18 April 2004

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Washington Co., NC
21 June 2006
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Albino Orange Sulphur or Clouded Sulphur
Chatham Co., NC
19 Oct 2005
same individual
photographed in flight at high speed
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
same individual
photographed in flight at high speed
same individual
photographed in flight at high speed

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur "albino" female
Person Co., NC
13 Jun 2006
Orange Sulphur "albino" female
Chatham Co., NC
20 Oct 2005

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Female
Nectaring on Robin's-Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brunswick Co., NC
29 Oct 2006
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brunswick Co., NC
29 Oct 2006
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Close-up of compound eye


Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Near Fresno Dome, Madera Co., CA
10 July 2007

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) #8833
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
St. Clair Co., MI
7 July 2012


Below are Indiana Orange Sulphurs
#0954
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Muscatatuck NWR, Jackson Co., IN
27 July 2015
#0988
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Muscatatuck NWR, Jackson Co., IN
27 July 2015

#0997
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Muscatatuck NWR, Jackson Co., IN
27 July 2015


Below are Montana Orange Sulphurs
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
#0617
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
6 July 2014
#5726
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Below Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
18 Sep 2014

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
#5261
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Below Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
3 Oct 2014
#5265
Orange/Clouded Sulphur (Colias eurytheme/philodice)
Below Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
3 Oct 2014

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) #5116
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
6 Sep 2013

#4653
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
2 Sep 2014
#1413
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

#2999
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
#3005
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

#3047
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

#3059
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

#3052
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

#3021
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch south pivot, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
#3026
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
MPG Ranch south pivot, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015


Below are Colorado Orange Sulphurs
#5615
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Horseshoe Mt., Park Co., CO
8 July 2016
#5828
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Rock Creek, El Paso Co., CO
9 July 2016

#6052
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Horseshoe Mt., Park Co., CO
10 July 2016
#6411
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Four Mile Creek, Teller Co., CO
11 July 2016

#6611
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Royal Gorge, Fremont Co., CO
11 July 2016
#6756
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Cottonwood Pass, Gunnison Co., CO
12 July 2016


Below are Texas Orange Sulphurs
#9515
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell Co., TX
12 Mar 2018
#9502
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell Co., TX
14 Mar 2018

#1092
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Brazos Bend SP, Brazoria Co., TX
23 Apr 2018
#1158
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Mackhank Rd, Brazoria Co., TX
24 Apr 2018

#7719
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Bell Co., TX
20 Apr 2018


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Created on ... April 18, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com