I know this description is not much to go on, but I saw a first time ever butterfly today that was completely yellow (like a yellow sulfur) on the top side of its wings, but then was orange (as orange as a fritillary) on the underside of the wings. It wouldn't land anywhere and seemed in frenetic flight, much higher aloft than most butterflies that visit my garden, staying more at tree level except to occasionally dab at a couple of flowers I have blooming.
I've become familiar with most of the butterflies that visit my yard (not on a first name basis yet - lol), but this is one I've not seen before.
Is this one maybe somebody that got off course and lost in a migration?
Jeremy
New butterfly for me - yellow on top of wing, orange bottom
Jeremy look up Orange-Barred Sulphur and if it was tiny look up Sleepy Orange
Hi, DonnaB. Thanks for your reply. I looked up the butterflies you suggested. During the search, I happened upon a photo of the male Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe). I think that may have been the butterfly I saw in my garden. The first and only time I've seen one of them here in NE Florida.
Jeremy
oops I thought you said orange on underside of wing. Orange Sulphur is orange on topside
It was orange underside, so I must be wrong. But I thought I saw a photo of the male Orange Sulphur with wings folded up and the underside was orange, or maybe just the light penetrating through made it look orange?
Thanks for your help. I'll keep an eye open to see if I ever spot one of these guys again.
Jeremy