Magnificient

Posted on September 26, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

The sulphur butterflies are very similar and sometimes hard to identify, as many have the same markings on the same areas of their forewing and hindwing. I am almost certain this is a cloudless sulphur, as it is how I have identified it in the past.

So, here are some photos of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and this magnificent butterfly.

Our sulphur butterfly emerged in the butterfly house this morning after creating its chrysalis on Sept. 18. This beauty was in no hurry today, sitting on my hand and finger for a good long while before taking its first flight. So, this beauty had a photoshoot of more than 60 photos. I was hoping I would be able to take a photo with its wings open, but the sulphur had another plan.

I believe this one is a female, as I have read that males are solid yellow, while the females have a black border, as well as a dark spot on the forewing’s center, which you can see through the closed wings.

Their wing span is about 2 1/4 to 3 1/8 inches.

I am in awe of this butterfly’s eyes and the magnificent shade of yellow.

My Sunshine returned

Posted on September 21, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

The cloudless sulphur, phoebis sennae, has been one of the most challenging butterflies to photograph in the garden. Today I was able to capture a few good photos of her laying eggs on my cassia tree.

I read that under the yellow scales of their wings, hides a yellow-green layer of scales.

The caterpillars will eat leaves from both the cassia, and senna plants, both members of the pea family. I have noticed that the caterpillars change colors throughout their instars, which I read is dependent on the color of leaves, blooms they eat. If the leaves are green, the caterpillar is dominantly green. If the consume yellow blooms they change to that color.

Although her face is a little out of focus, you can spot the egg she is depositing.

The cloudless sulphur blends well with the cassia tree. She is pretty much the same color as the dying leaves in the background.

Another change

Posted on September 19, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

The cloudless sulphur chrysalis changed today, now resembling more of a leaf. I am so excited to watch the rest of its transformation.

Yellow returns

Posted on September 5, 2022 by SweetButterfly Bliss

The cloudless sulphur butterfly returned to the garden this afternoon, leaving behind quite a few eggs (white on the side of the leaf) on our cassia tree.

Most of the time she is incredibly hard to photograph, as she does not stay long while laying eggs.

Although the adult sulphur’s are typically a vibrant shade of yellow, the female can be pale yellow or white during the summer months. During the winter months males sometimes have darker markings ventrally.