Queen Alexandra's Sulphur
Colias alexandra W.H. Edwards, 1863
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Upper surface of male bright yellow with pale yellow at wing bases; wings edged by narrow black border crossed by yellow veins; cell spot small. Female yellow, sometimes white, with forewing border faded or absent. Underside of hindwing of both sexes green-gray; cell spot white with no surrounding ring.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 2 1/4 inches (4.2 - 5.7 cm).
Life History: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid singly on top of host plant leaves, which the caterpillars eat. Late-stage caterpillars overwinter.
Flight: One flight from May-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) including milk vetch (Astragalus), Lupines (Lupinus), and clover (Trifolium) species.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including blanket flower, milk vetches, and others.
Habitat: Road edges, fields, meadows, sagebrush flats.
Range: British Columbia south and east to eastern California, Arizona and New Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Not reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 49 - 72 of 426 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 14, 2019
Submitted by: dsperanza
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 17, 2020
Observation date: Jun 25, 2019
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 04, 2019
Observation date: Aug 12, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Oct 11, 2019
Observation date: Jul 28, 2019
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Aug 18, 2019
Observation date: Jul 12, 2007
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 25, 2019
Observation date: Jul 21, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 11, 2018
Observation date: Jul 21, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 11, 2018
Observation date: Jul 21, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 10, 2018
Observation date: Jul 14, 2018
Submitted by: Jon Kindschy
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Aug 11, 2018
Observation date: Jul 03, 2018
Submitted by: jetboulder@aol.com
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 10, 2018
Observation date: Aug 19, 2017
Submitted by: JerrySalem
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 13, 2017
Observation date: Aug 08, 2015
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 23, 2017
Observation date: Jul 24, 2016
Submitted by: bwarren
Region: Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 03, 2016
Observation date: Jul 12, 2015
Submitted by: Eric Olson
Region: Gilpin County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: azukoff
Verified date: Mar 02, 2016
Observation date: Jul 12, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 20, 2015
Observation date: Jul 10, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 18, 2015
Observation date: Jul 07, 2015
Submitted by: MTmariposa
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 16, 2015
Observation date: Apr 16, 2015
Submitted by: randimal
Region: Grant County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 19, 2015
Observation date: Jun 07, 2014
Submitted by: randimal
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 15, 2014
Observation date: Sep 01, 2013
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 13, 2014
Observation date: Jul 06, 2013
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Stevens County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Dec 26, 2013
Observation date: Jul 06, 2013
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Stevens County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Dec 26, 2013
Observation date: Jul 17, 2013
Submitted by: MTmariposa
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Aug 13, 2013
Observation date: Aug 02, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Wayne Dawes)
Region: Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
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