Orange-barred Sulphur

Phoebis philea is a pierid butterfly in the sulphur subfamily Coliadinae. Orange-barred Sulphur is its established English name. [1]

Males are bright yellow above, with an orange forewing bar and orange hindwing edges. Females occur in golden-yellow and creamy-white forms with different dark marginal markings. The underside is yellow to orange-yellow, with small spots or fine mottling. The Alabama atlas gives a span of 70–86 mm. [2]

The species occurs from the southern United States to Brazil. In southern Florida it inhabits gardens and upland forest edges; northward dispersal produces records beyond its resident range. [2][3]

Eggs are deposited singly on new host growth. Caterpillars feeding on leaves are green; flower-feeding larvae become yellow with black patches. Pupae may be green or pink. Southern Florida adults fly throughout the year. [2][3]

Coffee senna, Senna occidentalis, is a larval food plant. Adults have long proboscises that reach nectar in tubular or funnel-shaped flowers, including Hibiscus. [3][4]

Adults are powerful fliers and readily visit parks, gardens and other open habitats near sennas. [4]

Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.