Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
Medium butterfly with yellow or white wings and orange-rimmed black hindwing spots. Caterpillars feed on clover and alfalfa. Multi-brooded fast-flying pollinator common in Bay Area open spaces.
Plants that support Orange Sulphur
23 plants
American Deervetch
Vicia americana
vine
Caterpillar larval host plant; multiple generations per year in California
American Licorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
perennial herb
Multiple generations use plant as larval food source throughout warm months
American birdsfoot trefoil
Acmispon americanus
annual
Generalist on legumes; multiple broods during active season
Bicolored lupine
Lupinus bicolor
annual
Larvae feed on lupine foliage; multiple generations per year
California Aster
Corethrogyne filaginifolia
perennial herb
Multiple generations; consistent nectar visitation throughout blooming season
California Buttercup
Ranunculus californicus var. californicus
perennial herb
Early spring nectar source
Chilean Bird's-foot Trefoil
Acmispon wrangelianus
annual
Primary host plant for multiple broods Mar-Oct; caterpillars feed on foliage
Common Fiddleneck
Amsinckia menziesii
annual
Multiple broods utilize plant throughout growing season
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Multi-generational forager Apr-Oct
Delta Tule Pea
Lathyrus jepsonii var. californicus
perennial herb
Larvae feed on host plant foliage during active growing season, multiple generations per year in California
Dove Weed
Croton setiger
annual
Multiple broods; larvae utilize croton as secondary host plant
Eastwood's Manzanita
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. glandulosa
shrub
Multi-generational; larvae feed on foliage throughout growing season
Hayfield Tarweed
Hemizonia congesta subsp. lutescens
annual
Adult butterflies nectar on flowers; important migrant resource
Jeweled Onion
Allium serra
geophyte
caterpillar host plant, multiple generations spring through fall
Mariposa Lily (Yellow)
Calochortus luteus
geophyte
Adult butterfly utilizing lily nectar Apr-Jun
Narrowleaf mule ears
Wyethia angustifolia
perennial herb
Multiple generations use plant as larval food source during growing season
Red Maids*
Calandrinia menziesii
annual
occasionally uses as larval host during spring season
Rod Wirelettuce
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. pleurocarpa
annual
Multiple generations; larvae feed on plant material
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
perennial herb
Nectaring butterfly; visits flowers during spring emergence and breeding
Seaside Heliotrope
Heliotropium curassavicum
perennial herb
Multiple broods; caterpillars feed on foliage
Slender Sunflower
Helianthus gracilentus
perennial herb
Multiple generations; larvae feed on plant foliage throughout growing season
Vervain
Verbena lasiostachys var. scabrida
perennial herb
Multiple generations; caterpillars feed on foliage throughout warm months
Willdenow's Clover
Trifolium willdenovii
annual
Multiple generations utilize clover as larval food plant throughout growing season