Orange-barred Sulphur vs Madeiran Brimstone Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Orange-barred Sulphur Madeiran Brimstone Butterfly
Scientific Name Phoebis philea Gonepteryx maderensis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Pieridae
Size Wingspan 67-80mm 50-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America, South America Madeira
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Orange-barred Sulphur

A large bright yellow butterfly with orange bar markings on the upper forewings. Females are more muted with reddish markings.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol large territories and engage in spiraling aerial battles with rivals that can last several minutes.

Madeiran Brimstone Butterfly

A yellow butterfly endemic to the island of Madeira in the Atlantic. It is closely related to Canary Island brimstones but geographically isolated.

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Did You Know?

Fewer than 1000 individuals are thought to survive in small laurel forest patches on Madeira.