Even common species can offer subtle surprises

[Trehopr1]

Our native Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) of the
eastern seaboard is widespread throughout and common
as butterfly species go. It is a bright and "cheery" species
to encounter as it flashes brightly in the sunshine of
clover-laden fields in mid-summer on through most of
fall.

It is during this time each year that I go out in earnest
seeking out prize, fresh specimens on the wing. Their
orange richness (of varying intensities), size variations,
and not-so-easy approach/capture make for an exciting
afternoon out afield !

Sometimes, small surprises are in store and one may not
notice them until you arrive home.

Here, the specimen on the left has a perfectly formed yet,
(atrophied) right antennae as compared with a normal
male on the right.



Perhaps, a developmental genetic defect or a minor injury
incurred while as a larvae. Whatever, the reason -- it is even
small oddities such as this which show uniqueness within a
commonplace species and which further broadens our knowledge
of nature's possibilities....

[livingplanet3]

It was 75 F (24 C) here today, and I saw a couple of C. eurytheme, along with a few other, smaller Pieridae. Also, an Anaea andria.

[Trehopr1]

-- oh' my are you lucky to see butterflies so early !

[papiliotheona]

Form "ariadne" (the early/late season form) of C. eurytheme and philodice is a real treat. Smaller size, paler dorsal color, reduced orange if applicable, narrower borders, and green/dark ventral sides.

[livingplanet3]

-- oh' my are you lucky to see butterflies so early !

I've seen C. euytheme even in early to mid January, if the weather gets warm enough. I wonder though - are these freshly emerged from pupae, in response to suddenly warmer conditions, or do some late-season adults just go into torpor when colder weather arrives, only flying on warm days during the winter, as do some nymphalids such as Anaea andria and Vanessa atalanta?

[Chuck]

-- oh' my are you lucky to see butterflies so early !

C. euytheme ... I wonder though - are these freshly emerged from pupae, in response to suddenly warmer conditions, or do some late-season adults just go into torpor when colder weather arrives, only flying on warm days during the winter,

I can't say for your area, but in the northeast C eurytheme and P rapae can survive light snowfalls; not many of them, but it is common in late fall to see a few flying in fields on a warmer day following a snowfall. Not to say all survive the cold that accompanies snow, most don't, but a few do.

[58chevy]

I see Phoebis sennae & A. andria on warm days all winter long. A. andria hides under bark. Not sure about P. sennae.

[Trehopr1]

You know, Texas is well below the "frost line" of the Northern tier of states so, I could see Pieridae as having a much longer lived life span as adults. Perhaps many months and they are pretty tough butterflies in that they can take periods (of a certain measure of cold) which would likely kill other adult butterflies.

Up north here the first "hard" frost we get pretty much knocks out 90%+ of adult butterflies. Yet, there is still the occasional singleton which made me found still flying about a field (here and there) days later. However, usually a second hard Frost finishes off everything for the year.

BobW is our resident Colias expert so perhaps, he could better elaborate on the physiology of these butterflies and what they can and cannot (take) physically.

I know Zebra butterflies (Heliconius) in Florida are known to live upwards of 9 months and the Monarch is another long distance species in terms of lifespan.

Perhaps, in your part of the US Colias do live an extended lifespan as adults and as you say perhaps those warm days "spark" others to emerge prematurely !

[Chuck]

Up north here the first "hard" frost we get pretty much knocks out 90%+ of adult butterflies.

Frosts are worse than snow because the cold settles to the ground. Snow has an R value approximately equal to wood; 20cm of snow has the same R value as most homes built with 2x4s and stuffed with insulation. So a butterfly tented under plants covered with snow can be in a "cocoon" of warmth well above freezing. Of course, once the ground freezes it's all over for the species w/o the ability to freeze; though in my experience by the time the ground freezes the multiple hits of attrition have long got them all.

I don't know the maximum lifespan of Pieridae. I did keep a mantis indoors one year. Figure it probably hatched from egg in May, and it passed in late November, so figure seven months. It was a bit odd watching the mantid age much like a human.

Up here, Speyeria Cybele eclose mid-June, and finish eclosion by early July. The males fly until September, totally beat up by then. So figure the adult stage maximum time is ~75 days. They never quite make it to the first freeze, so must be old age that gets them.

[Trehopr1]

Another very recent subtle surprise was this
(female) Colias eurytheme which is of the MOST
extreme orange "intensity" that I have ever
personally encountered in the species.

Females are typically quite nice when fresh
with their bold and variable markings. I've
caught some pretty nice ones but, this one
outshines them all. It is the males which
have the much more bold, orange appearance
which really makes them stand-out.

I discovered this incredible female (papered)
by me in a tupperware of some 10 other
C. eurytheme captured the same day. Never
got around to working these up as I should have
(until now); and, probably overlooked her unique
color from the get-go. So, this capture of 16.Aug.1998
has been waiting nearly 26 years to once again show
her colors.



This is why it is important to really only collect what
you can reasonably work-up within a couple days. Unless,
of coarse you're on a tropical trip ! Otherwise, its all
too easy to stash away things that you just can't get to at
the time and then the tuppers stack-up, time passes, and
you even forget why you set the stuff aside in the first
place....

[58chevy]

That female is fabulous!

[mothman55]

Eurytheme are one of my favourites, especially the females. From just a hint of orange to full on orange. And different border widths, some with much darker shades, they are so variable and beautiful.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 at 3.54.56 PM.png (721.26 KiB) Viewed 9578 times

[mothman55]

The males seem to have less variation, at least here in the north, but bold and beautiful orange most all. Note the aberrant We also get philodice and interior. There are two or three aberrants in this drawer, pretty easy to spot.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 at 3.54.10 PM.png (792.58 KiB) Viewed 9578 times

[Trehopr1]

VERY nice series in both drawers !

You have also managed several very nice individuals
showing melanism or some select "very orange" looking
females. Your drawer of eurytheme (females) is really
something the more I look at it !

Could you possibly show us a close-up of that
aberrant colored C. eurytheme male ?

[mothman55]

Here are both sides of the aberrant male eurytheme

Screenshot 2024-02-12 at 11.34.43 AM.png (700.06 KiB) Viewed 9549 times

.

[mothman55]

Screenshot 2024-02-12 at 11.31.17 AM.png (702.96 KiB) Viewed 9549 times

[Trehopr1]

WOW , that's a really incredible aberration mothman55. Thank you so much for kindly showing us the close up AND both sides of it.

I have collected my fair share of the species but, I have nothing that compares to that.

I tried to enlarge the original photograph on my computer screen however, the image only became blurrier as I enlarged it which is why I asked if you could give us a closer view. Many, many thanks....