Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1337887

Large Orange Sulphur
Phoebis agarithe

Observation date: July 31, 2022
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Seen flower sipping in residential foliage (Bougainvillea). Only showing inner wing surfaces in flight, so the only good view is of the outer wings when alighting.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 06, 2022
Coordinator notes: Since I have become very familiar with this species in San Clemente (CA( starting in 2016, and SE Arizona (especially in Tucson), I have become familiar with this species and the variability of females in terms of coloration and markings. The subspecies for both areas is fisheri, the Baja California subspecies, not nominate agarithe based on genomic testing done on specimens from both states. Until 1996, I had collected only one individual in my life...Bear Creek in Arizona. What an interesting butterfly this is and a welcome addition to the California fauna...Ken Davenport. However, some female Cloudless Sulphurs also exhibit orange, white and peach colors.
Checklist region(s): United States, California, San Diego County