Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1333350

Queen Alexandra's Sulphur
Colias alexandra

Observation date: July 17, 2022
Submitted by: tjay13
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Open Ponderosa woodland with scrubby Gamble's oak below. White spot on HW with no apparent border. Seemed very greenish when spotted. Dorsal view of wings seem to show no markings however, or very faint "see-through" spot on FW. Not sure if this would rule out the species.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: July 21, 2022
Coordinator notes: tjay, I think your diagnosis is good. if these two shots are the same individual, then ventrum is clearly alexandra; the almost immaculate dorsum makes it a female. the pale color makes it an albinic female. If you go here: https://butterfliesofamerica.com/L/t/Colias_a_alexandra_a.htm you can see at least one example of something close to what you photographed. May I please borrow that terrific dorsal view for Butterflies of NM? Reply to my personal email: sjcary@centurylink.net
Checklist region(s): United States, New Mexico, Rio Arriba County