The Butterflies of the World Foundation

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Large Orange Sulphur

Phoebis agarithe, Boisduval, 1836

Subfamily Coliadinae

Phoebis agarithe, mated pair, ambush bug is attacking female, sidewalk near Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas, 24 October 2010

                                                       Ref #:  I-461-1.3

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Taxonomy

There are about 1100 or so species within the family Pieridae.  The family is further divided into three subfamilies, the Coliadinae which has about 300 species worldwide and includes the Sulphurs, Yellows and Brimstones, the Pierinae which has about 700 species worldwide and includes the Whites, Orange-tips and Jezebels, and the Dismorphiinae which has about 100 species mostly in the tropics and includes the Wood Whites and Mimics.

Phoebis agarithe, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas, 24 October 2010                                                                             Ref #:  I-462-4

Phoebis agarithe, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas, 24 October 2010                                                                             Ref #:  I-462-3

General Information:

Phoebis agarithe is a large butterfly found in far southern Texas and Florida down through most of South America.  The males are orange and the females are orange to white.  It can be found in most habitats and both sexes avidly seek nectar.  In the warmer parts of its range, it has multiple broods and flies year round.

Lifecycle:

The eggs are laid on pants in the pea family.  When fresh, they are yellow-white and turn orange-red.  The caterpillars are green with a yellow and dark green stripes down each side.  The chrysalises are green with purplish mottling.