Species Insects & ArthropodsQueen Alexandra's Sulphur

Queen Alexandra's Sulphur

Colias alexandra

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra)

Queen Alexandra's Sulphur is a bright lemon-yellow to greenish-yellow western sulphur with clean black wing borders and an orange-pink spot on each hindwing. It is common at high elevations in mountain meadows of the Rockies and Great Basin. Like all Colias males, it puddles extensively for salts at stream margins and muddy spots.

Habitat
Mountain meadows, prairies, and open hillsides of the West
Diet
Larvae: vetches and milkvetches (Astragalus). Adults: nectar and moisture
How common
Common

Best time to see a Queen Alexandra's Sulphur

The best time to see a Queen Alexandra's Sulphur is June–July, when about 77% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 707 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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