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Genus: Colias

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 7:10 pm
by Trehopr1
Here in the eastern half of the U.S. we are regaled by
the presence of the Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme).
This gaily colored butterfly appears as a fast moving
orange-ish spot against the green of any open field or
roadside.

This is a butterfly of big-sky, sunny days, and open spaces.
Farmlands, large spaces of alfalfa and clover along with any
associated peripheral roadsides is where you will find this
brilliant fellow.

Both sexes offer a beauty and variation unique to each which
really makes this species well worth looking into whenever
possible. Additionally, an "albino" form of the female is also
present but, not quite in the same numbers as typical females.

C. eurytheme males are surprisingly energetic and not all that
easy to capture; short of when they briefly light to re-fuel their
spent energy. The species has at least 2 and probably 3 broods
present throughout a summer here. Some years though, their
numbers seem much reduced likely to some ecological or weather
related impact.

When I do get into a field this is one butterfly I still keep a watchful
eye open for. Its simple beauty, variability, and feistiness of capture
forever draws me to its wonderful fresh-air haunts !

Image

This small group was recently removed from the boards.
I managed capturing these during a half-hour spent in a
partially mowed field. The 2nd brood was just beginning
to show itself so although they were few in number -- they
were fresh. All captured on Aug.22.2022

Males are differing in their "orange" appearance. Some, such as
the male on the (left) are yellow/orange; whilst others like the
one on the (right) are boldly orange. Wing margins vary as well
in "thickness".

Typical females offer a wide palette of variation. Color tones,
boldness or definition of spots, melanism, and size variances are
all hallmarks of the almost equally beautiful females.

A certain delight wherever found. A simple pleasure to a "field man"
when blue skies, fresh country air, and the sounds of birds and distant
trains evoke serenity of a kind....

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 4:14 am
by 58chevy
Nice species and excellent job of mounting!

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:03 am
by daveuk
A box of Colias croesus( Clouded Yellows) All reared from caterpillars on Clover. Mostly by myself but with a few purchased specimens. Also close ups of a typical female & a white female(form helice)
We rely here on fresh migrations from Continental Europe & North Africa each year. As far as I am aware none of the life stages have survived a British Winter in the wild.
Years go by in my part of Wales without any being seen. I last collected wild specimens here in 1994.
1983 in the U.K. was an exceptional " Clouded Yellow year". They were quite numerous here throughout mid to late summer in that year. Still waiting for the next one.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:29 am
by Trehopr1
Fabulous box and what an accomplishment ! 🎉

Those are awesome close-ups also !! 😎

I have purchased about a dozen specimens of C. croesus myself; along with another five of the "helice" form. Really love the species....

I have a few more pic's to post tonight along with a drawer shot of my personal best "private stock" of wild captures.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:28 am
by daveuk
Trehopr1 wrote: Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:29 am Fabulous box and what an accomplishment ! 🎉

Those are awesome close-ups also !! 😎

I have purchased about a dozen specimens of C. croesus myself; along with another five of the "helice" form. Really love the species....

I have a few more pic's to post tonight along with a drawer shot of my personal best "private stock" of wild captures.
Thanks for those kind words Trehopr.
Look forward to seeing some more of your specimens.
Colias is a very special genus. I did collect just a handful of male C eurytheme on a trip I made to California back in 1987. Will try & get photos of those to post too.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:56 am
by Trehopr1
So as not to leave out THE best part of this species;
I present the "albino form" female....

As mentioned earlier this form is much less prevalent
than the (typical) yellow form females. These can easily
be mistaken for Cabbage butterflies (P. rapae) at distance;
so one must investigate all possibilities.

Fresh examples are "the bomb" to catch as these offer SO
many pleasant variations. They are cream colored or a dirty
white generally speaking but, their striking black/white
appearance with sometimes yellow tones, orange spots, or
occasional gun-metal gray highlights make them exceptional.

It seems all too often one encounters those which have been
on the wing for a time so, I've passed up FAR more than I've ever
kept. However, standout specimens do show-up and you REALLY
don't want to miss them !

Image

Image

The following drawer represents my last 8 years of "wild collected"
CHOICE finds. My "special stock" if you will....

Image

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:15 am
by daveuk
Incredible specimens & drawer Trehopr. Really beautiful.
As promised here are four male Colias eurytheme I collected in Fremont California in July 1987. Also two male Colias behrii which I took in Tioga Pass just outside Yosemite National Park also in July 1987. Don't think I have ever collected in more magnificent surroundings anywhere.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 2:25 pm
by kevinkk
DSCN2060.JPG
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Colias have always been a favorite, I think that was the last species we brought home from the last field trip, they were hard to net, mostly
they'd fly through and one would have 1 or 2 swings with a net, until the next one showed up. Super! I managed to insert a pic of those Colias

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:04 am
by Trehopr1
Awesome C. behrii Dave ! 😍

That's my favorite Western (Colias) species of all.
You are very fortunate to have collected it outside of that National Park and to have seen one of the greatest natural wonders this country has to offer.

Makes me "green" with envy as I have neither seen Yosemite nor had the chance to collect behrii.

But, I do have one nice specimen of C. behrii which I picked up from an older collection.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:45 am
by daveuk
Trehopr1 wrote: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:04 am Awesome C. behrii Dave ! 😍

That's my favorite Western (Colias) species of all.
You are very fortunate to have collected it outside of that National Park and to have seen one of the greatest natural wonders this country has to offer.

Makes me "green" with envy as I have neither seen Yosemite nor had the chance to collect behrii.

But, I do have one nice specimen of C. behrii which I picked up from an older collection.
Yosemite & Tioga Pass are spectacular & well worth a visit. The C behrii were flying with Lustrous Coppers(Lycaena cupreus). There were also numerous Chipmunks scuttling about amongst the alpine flora.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 12:32 pm
by mcheki
Just to expand on the subject of Colias I can add that this genus also occurs throughout Africa. This drawer shows specimens of several species from Cameroon across to Yemen and then all the way to South Africa. Some of the species are very localised and nowhere is it generalised.
Again, sorry for the poor photo quality.
Pieridae 10 -- Colias.JPG
Pieridae 10 -- Colias.JPG (704.31 KiB) Viewed 1220 times

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 6:57 pm
by daveuk
Here's my box Colias from several countries. Always loved this family.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:32 pm
by Trehopr1
Holy cow, do you guys have some incredible Colias holdings !! 🎉😎

Thank you for sharing what you have both accomplished thus far with this genus....👏

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:27 am
by bobw
I won't try to post my Colias holdings here as I have 150 drawers with about 12,000 specimens representing all but about 4 species. However, if anyone has any specific requests, I'm happy to take some photos.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:39 am
by daveuk
Well if that doesn't put all us Colias collectors on this forum into the shade then I don't know what will!!.
How about showing us your three favourite drawers?
Thanks.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:05 pm
by Cabintom
bobw wrote: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:27 am I won't try to post my Colias holdings here as I have 150 drawers with about 12,000 specimens representing all but about 4 species. However, if anyone has any specific requests, I'm happy to take some photos.
I'm curious about what 4 species you might be missing!

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 2:26 pm
by bobw
daveuk wrote: Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:39 am Well if that doesn't put all us Colias collectors on this forum into the shade then I don't know what will!!.
How about showing us your three favourite drawers?
Thanks.
That would be tough! I'll give it some thought...

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 2:28 pm
by bobw
Cabintom wrote: Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:05 pm I'm curious about what 4 species you might be missing!
Colias ponteni, C. dubia, C. leechi, and the recently described C. delshade.

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:46 pm
by Trehopr1
Here is the type (male) specimen of
Colias ponteni.

It was posted on this forum back in
October 2010.

Image

Re: Genus: Colias

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:19 pm
by adamcotton
It is worth mentioning that bobw co-authored a relatively recent book on Colias.

Adam.