Cloudless Sulphur vs Eye Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cloudless Sulphur Eye Gnat
Scientific Name Phoebis sennae Liohippelates pusio
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Pieridae Chloropidae
Size 54-80 mm wingspan 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America, South America Southern United States, Central America, Caribbean
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cloudless Sulphur

Large unmarked lemon-yellow butterfly; females may have faint spots. Common and conspicuous across the southern United States.

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Did You Know?

Large fall migrations of thousands can be seen streaming southward along the Atlantic coast.

Eye Gnat

A tiny, shiny black fly attracted to eye and wound secretions of humans and animals. It is a suspected mechanical vector of bacterial conjunctivitis and yaws in tropical regions. Its persistent swarming around the face makes it an extremely annoying pest in agricultural areas.

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Did You Know?

These flies are so strongly attracted to eye secretions that they will persistently return to a person's face even after being brushed away dozens of times.