Large Orange Sulphur, Giant Orange Sulphur

This year (2006) Large Orange Sulphur, Giant Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe) have been blessing our area with their beauty for months. I have never seen so many of them before. In my yard, they especially like to nectar on lantana, pentas, pyramid bush (Melochia tomentosa), cosmos, different types of salvias, portulaca, bougainvilla, rose periwinkle, turk's cap, hibiscus, zinnia, eastern purple coneflower and petunia.

Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 3/8 inches (5.7 - 8.6 cm).

Identification: Upper surface of male bright orange with no markings. Two female forms, pink-white or yellow-orange. Underside forewing of both sexes with straight submarginal line. Two seasonal forms; winter form has heavier underside markings.

Life history: Caterpillars eat new leaves.

Flight: All year in south Texas and south Florida, strays north in mid- to late summer.

Caterpillar hosts: Pithecellobium and Inga species in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of lantana, shepherd's needle, bougainvilla, rose periwinkle, turk's cap, and hibiscus.

Habitat: Open, tropical lowlands including gardens, pastures, road edges, trails, pa... read morerks.

Range: Peru north to southern Texas and peninsular Florida. Rare stray to Colorado, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey.