Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

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 73 - 96 of 141 verified sightings
Observation date: Jan 30, 2009
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 08, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 28, 1995
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 08, 2009
  Details
Observation date: May 31, 2004
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 08, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 24, 2004
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 08, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Sep 25, 2009
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Oct 16, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Aug 31, 2009
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 21, 1923
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. A. Comstock)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Emmel & Emmel)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Mar 06, 1960
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Oakley Shields)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Emmel & Emmel)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Mar 26, 1976
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 15, 2005
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Sep 30, 1993
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 22, 1979
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 25, 1993
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 22, 1977
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 24, 1978
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 30, 1993
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 26, 2005
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 14, 1970
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 21, 1978
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 16, 1985
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Oct 04, 1985
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: May 28, 1974
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 02, 1986
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 15, 2006
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 21, 2009
  Details

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