About 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.
How to Identify Japanese Clouded Yellow
Japanese Clouded Yellow (Colias erate) belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Pieridae. Adults typically measure 40-50 mm wingspan.
Japanese Clouded Yellow Habitat
Japanese Clouded Yellow is found in grasslands habitats, particularly across East Asia, Japan/Korea. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Japanese Clouded Yellow Diet and Feeding
Japanese Clouded Yellow feeds primarily on nectar from flowers. In doing so, it acts as an important pollinator, transferring pollen between plants and contributing to plant reproduction and biodiversity.
Where Is Japanese Clouded Yellow Found?
Japanese Clouded Yellow can be found in East Asia, Japan/Korea, where it inhabits grasslands environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Japanese Clouded Yellow can be found
Is Japanese Clouded Yellow Dangerous?
Japanese Clouded Yellow is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.
Japanese Clouded Yellow Role in Nature
Japanese Clouded Yellow plays an important role as a pollinator. By visiting flowers to feed on nectar or pollen, it transfers pollen between plants, aiding in reproduction and helping to maintain plant diversity. Pollinators are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Clouded Yellow
What does Japanese Clouded Yellow look like?
The Japanese Clouded Yellow typically measures 40-50 mm wingspan.
Where is Japanese Clouded Yellow found?
The Japanese Clouded Yellow is found in East Asia, Japan/Korea and typically inhabits grasslands environments.
What does Japanese Clouded Yellow eat?
The Japanese Clouded Yellow feeds primarily on nectar from flowers.
Is Japanese Clouded Yellow dangerous to humans?
The Japanese Clouded Yellow is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
What is an interesting fact about Japanese Clouded Yellow?
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.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Japanese Clouded Yellow (Colias erate). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/japanese-clouded-yellow
MLA:
"Japanese Clouded Yellow." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/japanese-clouded-yellow.