Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

Natural Habitat

Open fields, meadows, roadsides, and gardens across North America.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar from various flowers, particularly those with yellow, purple, or pink blossoms. Caterpillars feed on the leaves of legumes, such as clover, alfalfa, and vetch.

Behavior Patterns

Clouded Sulphurs are active during the day, flying rapidly and erratically. They often bask in the sun to warm up. Males can be quite territorial. Females lay single eggs on host plants. They overwinter as caterpillars or pupae, depending on the climate.

Risks & Benefits

These butterflies are beneficial as pollinators for various plants. Their caterpillars, while feeding on legumes, can occasionally be considered minor pests in agricultural fields, but generally, their impact is negligible. They pose no direct risks to humans.

Identified on: 9/19/2025