Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)

Found in the northwest, this species has often been considered as a subspecies of Clouded Sulphur. However, recent additional evidence supports elevating this taxon to full species status. Field ID of this species can be difficult and in some cases may not be possible. The individuals below all fall within the known range of C. eriphyle, but some may well be C. philodice. Comments welcome.


Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG North near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
11 July 2014
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG North near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
11 July 2014

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
2 Sep 2013
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
2 Sep 2013

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
17 July 2013
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
17 July 2013

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle (Colias eriphyle)
MPG North, Northern Missoula Co., MT
6 Sep 2013
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG North, Northern Missoula Co., MT
6 Sep 2013

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Missoula Co., MT
1 May 2014
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Goat Flat, Granite Co., MT
16 July 2015

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Angela, Rosebud Co., MT
1 June 2014
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Angela, Rosebud Co., MT
2 June 2014

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
8 May 2014
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
17 Apr 2016

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
The wide DFW dark border suggests this may be C. philodice.

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
16 Sep 2013
Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle)
Near Condon, Missoula Co., MT
8 Aug 2015

Clouded Sulphur (Colias eriphyle) Eriphyle Sulphur (Colias eriphyle), left
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), right
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
6 Oct 2015

Nice side by side comparison of male sulphurs. Note that the Orange Sulphur shows stronger orange in the disc of the ventral forewing, and a wider black forewing border.



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