Diet

• The caterpillars feed on a variety of low-growing plants, particularly species in the daisy family (Asteraceae).

• Adults visit small flowers, particularly those with short flower tubes, and often feed close to the ground.

Range

• Nathalis iole is widely distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America, with populations extending into the Caribbean and northern Colombia.

• It is widespread in Mexico, including Guerrero, and occurs in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• The Dainty Sulphur favours open, sunny habitats, including dry fields, grasslands, scrub, roadsides, coastal flats, meadows and disturbed areas.

• It is particularly common where low-growing flowering plants are abundant.

• Adults usually fly very close to the ground and often settle on low vegetation.

Description

• The Dainty Sulphur is one of the smallest North American pierids, with a wingspan of approximately 20–32 mm.

• The forewings are elongated and predominantly yellow, with a black tip and black markings along the trailing edge. The hindwings also have a dark border or band near the leading edge.

• Males have a small reddish-orange scent patch within the dark hindwing marking; this becomes much less conspicuous in preserved specimens.

• The underside varies seasonally. Warmer-season individuals generally have yellowish hindwings, while cooler-season individuals can have strongly greenish-grey hindwings.

• The underside of the forewing has several small black spots near the outer margin and a yellow-orange patch near the base.

• Females generally have more extensive black markings than males, and an uncommon pale or nearly white form also occurs.