CLOSED: Is my Sulphur Clouded or Cloudless?

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HelloMissMary Memphis, TN Oct 21, 2009

I've tried to learn the difference by visiting numerous websites, but they do not agree about which is which. Can someone give me a definitive description for each? I'd really like to know who my beautiful visitors are....

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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Oct 21, 2009

Here is a side by side comparison site. Click on Clouded on one side and Cloudless on the other and page down.

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-0species.asp

Also if you click where it says for more information on the species it gives a little more indepth comparison. What I think you have is a Cloudless, it looks like it is very large for one and I don't see the pink around the edges. But I don't know for sure, maybe others will be along later with a definate id.

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HelloMissMary Memphis, TN Oct 21, 2009

Thank you, Sheila. That's a very helpful website. I'm leaning toward Cloudless as well.

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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Dec 30, 2013

Don't forget to close your thread as solved.

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C_A_Ivy Barling, AR(Zone 7b) Jan 10, 2014

A really nice picture of a gorgeous Cloudless Sulphur.
Since Sulphurs usually sit / bask with their wings folded, the ventral / below area of the forewings (FW) and hindwings (HW) are visible. In what is called the cell end area of the wings, the Clouded has a single spot on the FW whereas the Cloudless has adjoining two spots. Also the Clouded usually has some small spots in a semi circular band close to the HW end whereas the Cloudless has none.
Your specimen is a well marked female ( note the broken line leading toward the FW tip). Males have few markings except for the cell end spots and are much lighter in color.
I could give a list of more characteristics that differentiate between the two species but I'm concerned that would be to much information.
Also,in your area you have both Clouded and Orange sulphurs which are essentially identical except during flight if you see orange it is an Orange sulphur since Clouded sulphurs are all yellow above.

Although there are several pictures of Cloudless Sulphurs in DG's Bugfiles. you may want to add your nice image to the files at http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/41/ .

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HelloMissMary Memphis, TN Jan 10, 2014

Well, thank you for all that information -- and your nice comments about my picture! I think I will add it to the Bugfiles shots (since I'm sure which one it is now!).

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