Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

Generally statewide and common in NC, this is another Southern migrant occurring more commonly after mid-summer. However, some larvae overwinter so this is also a breeding species in NC. Cloudless Sulphurs are particularly fond of red and purple flowers of many different species.

Cloudless Sulphurs always perch with their wings closed. To see the upper surface of the wings, scroll down to the bottom of this page. I took a few photos of Cloudless Sulphurs in flight with a very fast shutter speed (1/2000th of a second) to freeze them in flight. The photos are a bit blurry & grainy, but notice there's no black on the upper wings.

This Cloudless Sulphur just emerged from its chrsalis hours earlier and has yet to take its first flight!

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005

Cloudless Sulphur caterpillars feed on Sennas in the pea family (Cassia spp.)

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) males "puddling"
Craven Co., NC
28 Aug 2005

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Scotland Co., NC
1 Oct 2006

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Brunswick Co., NC
4 Oct 2008

Nectaring on Tall Mourning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea).


Male New Hanover Co., NC 28 August 2004	Male New Hanover Co., NC 28 August 2004


Female Craven Co., NC 29 August 2004	Female Brunswick Co., NC 4 September 2004


Orange Co., NC 3 Oct 2004	Craven Co., NC 28 Aug 2005

		These individuals are in mid-flight, offering an opportunity to view the upperwings of Cloudless Sulphurs.
Dare Co, NC 2 Oct 2005	Dare Co, NC 2 Oct 2005

	This Cloudless Sulphur was photographed in flight during the downstroke of the wings. Note how high it carries its abdomen at this point in flight. Dare Co, NC 2 Oct 2005

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae eubule)

Dare Co, NC
2 Oct 2005

This runt Cloudless Sulphur was about the same size as a Sleepy Orange and was the smallest one I've ever seen. Apparently, moisture conditions and temperature can affect size development of the larvae & pupae & and therefore adults.

Chatham Co., NC
24 Sep 2005

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Brunswick Co., NC
3 Nov 2006

Nectaring on azaleas

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Alligator River NWR in Dare Co., NC
8 Nov 2009

Covered in natural morning dew and mist


Craven Co., NC 26 Aug 2007

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... September 2, 2004 | Updated on ... Aug 28, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu