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| Caterpillar |
Pupa |
Butterfly |
This
spectacular butterfly is bright yellow above with a broad orange
band crossing the forewings and also bordering the hindwings. It is
the largest sulphur (wingspan: 68 to 80 mm) found in Canada,
particularly the females, which are darker than the males and have
irregular black borders to the wings. The orange band on the
forewing upperside reflects ultraviolet light.
Range: Found
throughout the western hemisphere, including the Caribbean, the
Orange-barred Sulphur only occasionally reaches Canada in
southwestern Ontario (north to Huron County, Holmes et al., 1991).
It was reported from Nova Scotia (Scott, 1986), but this needs to
be verified.
Abundance:
There are only four records from Canada in years when the species
has had a major northward migration.
Flight
Season: Although it is commonly found throughout the year in
Florida, in the north it is most often seen in mid- to late
summer.
Habits: This
is a very strong flyer and is best seen when it visits flowers,
which it does frequently.
Remarks:
Because of its large size and bright colours, this butterfly leaves
a strong impression on the observer. However, it should not be
expected in Canada, except in years marked by large migrations of
southern species.
