🎮
›
Pieridae (Whites & Sulphurs)•Egg to adult: 28 days

Cloudless Sulphur

Phoebis sennae

Quick Rearing Snapshot & Biology Overview

Rearing and biology notes for Cloudless Sulphur

Instant Answers
Host Plants

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa), Maryland Senna (Senna marilandica)

Life Cycle Time

~28 Days total (Egg → Butterfly)

Winter Behavior

Pupal Diapause (Does Not Migrate)

Pupation Anchor

Girdle / Twig Sling

Thermal Degree-Day Hatch SimulatorInteractive

Slide ambient temperature to see how heat accelerates metamorphosis for Cloudless Sulphur

75°F / 24°C
65°F (Cool / Slow)75°F (Optimal Room Temp)85°F (Warm / Fast)
Egg Incubation~4 Days
Larval Instars~14 Days
Chrysalis / Pupa~10 Days
Total Metamorphosis~28 Days

*Calculated via standard insect thermal summation models (base threshold 50°F / 10°C).

PLATE XI • FIG. 11A•Taxonomic Plate • ADULT

Cloudless Sulphur

Phoebis sennae (Linnaeus, 1758) — Pieridae • Coliadinae

5 cm Scale
•
Canary Yellow Ground
•
Pointed Aerodynamic Apex
•
Silver-Centered Discal Cell
Key Diagnostic Field Identifiers:
  • Radiant, unblemished lemon to canary yellow dorsal wings in males
  • Females are larger, paler yellow or white with dark marginal dots and a prominent discal spot
  • Angular, scalloped forewing apex adapted for high-speed sustained migratory flight
  • Underside features two silver-centered brown discal spots resembling dew drops
:4 Days
:14 Days
:10 Days
:~28 Days

Larval Host Flora:

Silo 02 Botany

Only supply fresh, pesticide-free foliage from these verified native botanical species:

  • •Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
  • •Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)
  • •Maryland Senna (Senna marilandica)
  • •Candlestick Plant (Senna alata)

Key Husbandry Tips

Silo 04 Husbandry
  • •Larvae exhibit fascinating chromatic polymorphism: they turn bright lime-green when eating leaves, but shift to bright canary yellow if fed yellow flower petals!
  • •Chrysalis resembles a curved green pea pod with a pointed tip, suspended by a delicate silk girdle.
  • •Very gentle and prolific breeders when provided with sunny flight cages.

Frequently Asked Questions (Cloudless Sulphur)

Direct answers to the most common rearing, diet, and metamorphosis questions

Q&A Hub
Metamorphosis typically takes ~28 days from oviposition to adult eclosion at 75°F (24°C).

Master Research Guides for Cloudless Sulphur

Rearing protocols, lifecycle stages, and field husbandry

Field Notes
Husbandry & Pathology

Monarch Chrysalis Has White Threads or Webbing? Tachinid Fly Parasitoid Triage and Identification Guide

10 min read→
Emergency Care & Rehab

Butterfly Emerged With Crumpled Wings That Won’t Expand: Golden Hour Emergency Care, Causes & Sanctuary Life

11 min read→
Emergency Care & Rehab

Can Monarch Caterpillars Eat Pumpkin or Butternut Squash? The Truth About Emergency Milkweed Substitutes

9 min read→
Share Knowledge & Save Caterpillars

Share these guides with teachers, gardeners & classrooms

Region: Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast