Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra)

This taxonomically challenging species complex is widespread in western North America, and likely contains more than one species. My webpage follows The Pelham Catalogue in placing the butterflies in these photos, however, current research and field observations suggest this treatment will change as noted below.
"True" Queen Alexandra's Sulphurs from Colorado
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra alexandra)
On mud in meadow near conifers, Florissant, Teller Co., CO
7 July 2016		 Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra alexandra)
Open coniferous forest, Florissant, Teller Co., CO
6 July 2016
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra alexandra)
Meadow near conifers, Florissant, Teller Co., CO
7 July 2016
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra alexandra)
Near open coniferous forest, Florissant, Teller Co., CO
12 July 2016
Montana Queen Alexandra's Sluphurs
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii or C. edwardsii edwardsii)
Mountain Creek, Powell Co., MT
14 July 2015

The 2015 Pelham Catalog treats the Colias entities known as edwardsii and astraea as subspecies of C. alexandra. Other authorities consider C. edwardsii to be a full species. Under that latter scenario in Montana, the nominate C. edwardsii edwardsii flies mostly west of the continental divide while C. edwardsii astraea flies mostly east of the divide (S. Kohler, pers. comm.). Note the edwardsii complex has a darker/greener VHW than alexandra/pseudocolumbiensis.

Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea)
#2264
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Lemhi Pass, MT
20 July 2014		 #8034
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
27 June 2015
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii) #7976
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
27 June 2015
#7382
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Woodchuck Creek, Missoula CO., MT
15 June 2015
#8559
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Davis Creek, Missoula Co., MT
1 July 2015		 #8859
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
2 July 2015
#8601
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Davis Creek, Missoula Co., MT
1 July 2015
#9216
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Woodchuck Creek, Missoula Co., MT
4 July 2015
#9599
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Rattlesnake Rec Area, Missoula Co., MT
9 July 2015
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Morrell Lookout, Powell Co., MT
14 July 2015
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Mountain Creek, Powell Co., MT
14 July 2015
Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra astraea) Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra edwardsii)
Mountain Creek, Powell Co., MT
14 July 2015

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Created on ... July 26, 2013 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com