Diet

• The caterpillars of Coliadinae feed primarily on plants in the legume family (Fabaceae), although some genera use other plant families.

• Adults feed mainly on flower nectar and may visit a wide variety of flowering plants.

Habitat

• Coliadinae occupies a broad range of habitats, including tropical and subtropical forest edges, dry forest, scrub, grassland, meadows, agricultural areas, roadsides and other open vegetation.

• Many species favour sunny, open areas where larval host plants and flowering plants are abundant.

• Tropical species may occur around forest clearings and disturbed vegetation, while temperate species such as Colias commonly inhabit meadows, fields, grasslands and other open habitats.

Description

• Coliadinae is the subfamily commonly known as the sulphurs or yellows within the family Pieridae.

• Adults are generally small to medium-sized butterflies with predominantly yellow, orange, greenish or white coloration, often combined with dark marginal markings.

• The antennae are relatively short and thickly scaled, and the wings are usually rounded or somewhat angular without tails.

• Sexual differences are common, with males and females sometimes differing substantially in wing coloration and pattern.

• Many species possess ultraviolet wing patterns that are not visible to humans but may be important in communication between the sexes.