Mead's Sulphur
Colias meadii W.H. Edwards, 1871
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Identification: Upperside of male deep reddish orange with wide, dull black border; female lighter orange, border containing orange spots. Underside of both sexes greenish-yellow, with hindwing white spot circled in red.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 inches (3.8 - 5.1 cm).
Life History: Males patrol open tundra for females. Females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves, which are then eaten by the caterpillars. Third-stage caterpillars overwinter.
Flight: One flight from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) including clover (Trifolium) and Astragalus species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar including alpine sunflower and asters.
Habitat: At or near treeline in high mountains, tundra, subalpine meadows.
Range: Restricted to the Rocky Mountains from Alberta south to Colorado.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might 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 96 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 04, 2020
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 29, 2021
Observation date: Jul 27, 2013
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 08, 2021
Observation date: Aug 21, 2012
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 03, 2021
Observation date: Aug 09, 2012
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Stillwater County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Apr 27, 2021
Observation date: Jul 23, 2012
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Apr 09, 2021
Observation date: Aug 16, 2008
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 17, 2021
Observation date: Aug 19, 2007
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 16, 2021
Observation date: Aug 09, 2009
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 09, 2021
Observation date: Aug 16, 2009
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 07, 2021
Observation date: Aug 02, 2020
Submitted by: WYbutterflyer1
Region: Albany County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 02, 2021
Observation date: Aug 10, 2020
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Nov 21, 2020
Observation date: Jul 09, 2020
Submitted by: nohatsplease
Region: Summit County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Nov 08, 2020
Observation date: Jul 20, 2020
Submitted by: ASchmierer
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 20, 2020
Observation date: Jul 20, 2020
Submitted by: ASchmierer
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Aug 17, 2020
Observation date: Jul 28, 2019
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Mar 04, 2020
Observation date: Aug 12, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Oct 15, 2019
Observation date: Aug 26, 2019
Submitted by: Joey Bom
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Oct 04, 2019
Observation date: Jul 17, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Sep 19, 2019
Observation date: Jul 17, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Summit County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Aug 10, 2018
Observation date: Jul 20, 2016
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 07, 2018
Observation date: Jul 19, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: San Juan County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Dec 22, 2017
Observation date: Aug 04, 2016
Submitted by: dkassel
Region: Yellowstone National Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 30, 2016
Observation date: Jul 24, 2013
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Albany County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 12, 2014
Observation date: Jul 18, 2012
Submitted by: swimperi
Region: Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 05, 2012
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