Japanese Clouded Yellow vs Sunflower Treehopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Clouded Yellow Sunflower Treehopper
Scientific Name Colias erate Heliria cristata
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Pieridae Membracidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 5-8 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Clouded Yellow

Known as 'monjiro-cho' in Japanese, a common yellow butterfly found in open grasslands. Males are bright yellow while females may be white or yellow. A familiar sight in Japanese fields.

💡

Did You Know?

This butterfly is so common in Japan that it is one of the first butterflies children learn to identify, and it features in many Japanese children's songs.

Sunflower Treehopper

A small brown treehopper with a tall dorsal crest on its pronotum that gives it a distinctive high-backed silhouette. It is commonly found on sunflowers and other composites.

💡

Did You Know?

Its high pronotal crest may serve as a thermoregulatory surface, helping to dissipate heat while the insect feeds in exposed sunny locations.