Thursday, June 23, 2011

Mimosa Yellow


The Mimosa Yellow (Pyrisitia nise) is one of many neotropical Coliadinae species. Whites and Sulphurs are small to medium sized butterflies. Their wingspans range from 1 1/8 - 2 inches (2.9 - 5.1 cm). They are more a butterfly of the forest than the similar looking, and more widespread little yellow.

Upperside of forewing with narrow black outer edges. Black margin of hindwing uncommon in male, missing in female. The look of the hindwing changes from season to season, taking on a variety of yellow shades with patterns. The lack of the two dark spots on the bottom of the hindwing (next to the feet) is the main field identification clue of Mimosa Yellow.

The caterpillars feed on plants in the mimosa genus of the pea family, explaining the name. They flight, May-August in southern Florida, September-November in southern Texas, all year in tropics.

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