I posted this query on the Insect Forum as well. These beautiful butterflies like my yard and I'm a happy host! I would like to know which they are -- Clouded or Cloudless. I've tried looking at a good many websites but have found pictures of my visitors listed in both categories. Can someone educate me on the difference between the two?
HMM,
The difference I note between the two species is the degree or coloring along the outer margins of the wings, the Clouded Sulphur usually is depicted with a dark (grey to black) margin that may extend inward toward the center up to .3" and is somewhat (sometimes with some yellowish spotting) solid. However, it is a solid coloration all along the margin.
The cloudless Sulphur may not have any difference of coloration for majority of wing but sometimes has a slight darker area along the margin, usually more evident on the fore wing. When present there it isn't a solid margin lining but a linear pattern - dark, then yel, then dark area... When present the dark areas rarely exceed .1"of depth (as opposed to the .3 depth in the Clouded).
This coloration is present in males for the Cloudless and both sexes for the Clouded.
Based on this explanation I'd hazard your submission is probably a Cloudless Suphur male (slight intermittant margin coloration).
The above is solely based on picture comparisons from book 'Butterflies and Moths of Missouri'
Jmorth, thank you. I was leaning toward the Cloudless but wanted some input from others. I appreciate your help.
