The Tailed Orange is a distinctive subtropical sulphur with a short, pointed hindwing tail — unique among North American sulphurs. Males are brilliant deep orange above and females are pale yellow. It is a regular stray from Mexico into southern Texas and Arizona, occasionally establishing temporary populations. The wet and dry season forms differ markedly in wing pattern.
Best time to see a Tailed Orange
The best time to see a Tailed Orange is October–November, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,656 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Tailed Orange? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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