Diet

• Caterpillars feed primarily on legumes (Fabaceae), especially Senna and Cassia species.

• Larvae may feed on both leaves and flowers and shelter among folded leaves.

• Adults take nectar from a wide variety of flowers and frequently visit damp soil or sand for dissolved minerals.

Range

• Phoebis philea is widely distributed from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to northern and central South America, reaching Brazil.

• Guerrero is within its range, and it occurs in the Zihua area.

• The Mexican population belongs to the widespread nominotypical form, P. p. philea.

Habitat

• It occurs primarily in open tropical and subtropical environments.

• Typical habitats include tropical scrub, forest edges, clearings, gardens, parks, roadsides, fields, and other disturbed areas with flowering plants and suitable leguminous hosts.

• In the Zihua area it is particularly likely around sunny openings, gardens and forest margins.

Description

• A large sulphur with a wingspan generally around 70–100 mm.

• Males are bright yellow to yellow-orange above, with a conspicuous orange-red bar crossing the forewing cell and an orange-red area along the outer portion of the hindwing.

• Females are larger and highly variable, occurring in yellow-orange and pale or whitish forms. Both forms have stronger dark markings than males.

• The underside is more subdued, with yellow, orange and pinkish tones and scattered darker markings.

• The caterpillar is generally green with longitudinal stripes and dark reddish or blackish spots; it can vary in colour depending partly on the food being consumed.

• The species is readily distinguished from the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) by its prominent orange-red wing markings, particularly the broad orange bar on the male forewing and the orange-red hindwing margin.