Harford's Sulphur
Colias harfordii Hy. Edwards, 1877
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Upper surface of male a rich yellow, wing bases not darkened. Cell spot in front wing is medium-sized and black, often with a white center. Forewing border wide, hindwing border narrower. Cell spot in hindwing not noticeable. Female resembles male but border less well-defined, in some cases reduced or lacking.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 inches (4.4 - 5.1 cm).
Life History: Males patrol open areas to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Larvae hibernate.
Flight: Two flights from February-May and from June-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Rattleweed (Astragalus douglasii) in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar from thistles and mints.
Habitat: Open chaparral and woodland clearings.
Range: Southern California coastal ranges and canyons from Kern County south to San Diego County.
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.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 140 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 19, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2025
Observation date: Aug 19, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2024
Observation date: Jun 02, 2020
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
Observation date: Jun 18, 2024
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2024
Observation date: Jun 19, 2023
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 20, 2023
Observation date: Jun 17, 2023
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 20, 2023
Observation date: May 06, 2023
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 07, 2023
Observation date: May 22, 2022
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 30, 2022
Observation date: Apr 24, 2022
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 27, 2022
Observation date: May 19, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 24, 2018
Observation date: May 19, 2016
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 24, 2016
Observation date: Jul 29, 2012
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 20, 2013
Observation date: Jun 01, 2013
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 14, 2013
Observation date: Jun 01, 2013
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 14, 2013
Observation date: Jun 09, 2013
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 03, 2013
Observation date: Sep 20, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 29, 2011
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jon Kegley)
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 31, 2011
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Johnson II)
Region: Fresno County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 27, 2011
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Johnson II)
Region: San Benito County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 09, 1977
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: May 07, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 27, 1966
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (unknown)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Sep 28, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: May 25, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Bouton)
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
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