Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)

Description: This is a medium sized butterfly, bright yellow above with thick black margin in males (margin much reduced, sometimes absent, in females) and duller yellow below. The underside of the hindwing has a single pink-rimmed silver spot (unlike Orange and Clouded Sulphurs where the hindwing has two red-rimmed silver spots and three to five marginal spots). Wingspan: 35 to 47 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Throughout Maritimes. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: S5. PEI: S5.

Flight Period: Mid June to mid August.

Host Plant: Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.).

Notes: Like Clouded and Orange Sulphurs, Pink-edged Sulphur occasionally has white-morph females. These can be separated from those other two species by the single silver spot on the hindwing.

Unlike Orange and Clouded Sulphurs that are found in a wide variety of open weedy habitats, the Pink-edged Sulphur tends to be more habitat specific. It is found where blueberries grow, including wood roads through evergreen and mixed forests, bogs, cut or burned areas, and forest edges.