Orange Sulphur

Host plants

Orange Sulphur caterpillars can only develop on their larval host plants. Plant one of these natives and you can host the full life cycle in your own yard (host plant associations per the Xerces Society (opens in new tab)).

• Medicago sativa — see Little Bur-clover (same genus)
• Trifolium — see Tomcat Clover (same genus)
• Lupinus — see Arroyo Lupine (same genus)
• Golden Cassia (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
• Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis var. minor)
• Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa)
• Bastard Indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa)
• Panicled False Indigo (Amorpha paniculata)
• Two Leaved Senna (Senna roemeriana)
• Lindheimer's Senna (Senna lindheimeriana)
• Trifolium repens

How to identify it

Look for bright yellow or white butterflies with orange or yellow wing edges, often seen flying close to the ground in open areas.

Good to know

• One of the most common sulphur butterflies in North America
• Larvae can cause significant damage to alfalfa crops
• Females can vary in color from yellow to white

Common questions

What do Orange Sulphur caterpillars eat?

Orange Sulphur caterpillars feed on Medicago sativa, Trifolium, Lupinus, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Baptisia australis var. minor, Baptisia sphaerocarpa, Amorpha fruticosa, Amorpha paniculata, Senna roemeriana, Senna lindheimeriana, and Trifolium repens. These are the larval host plants the caterpillars must have to develop, per the Xerces Society and host plant records compiled from GBIF and iNaturalist.

Where do Orange Sulphur live?

Orange Sulphur is found across TX, AR, AZ, CO and 43 more states.

When are Orange Sulphur active?

Adult Orange Sulphur are typically on the wing from March through October.