πŸ¦‹ Butterflies & Moths

Orange-barred Sulphur

Phoebis philea

About 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.

How to Identify Orange-barred Sulphur

Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea) belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Pieridae. Adults typically measure Wingspan 67-80mm.

Orange-barred Sulphur Habitat

Orange-barred Sulphur is found in underground habitats, particularly across North America, South America. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Orange-barred Sulphur Diet and Feeding

Orange-barred Sulphur is a herbivore, feeding on plant material including leaves, stems, flowers, and other vegetation. Herbivorous insects play a significant role in ecosystems by influencing plant growth and serving as a food source for predators.

Where Is Orange-barred Sulphur Found?

Orange-barred Sulphur can be found in North America, South America, where it inhabits underground environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Orange-barred Sulphur can be found

Is Orange-barred Sulphur Dangerous?

Orange-barred Sulphur 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.

Orange-barred Sulphur Role in Nature

Orange-barred Sulphur is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Orange-barred Sulphur

What does Orange-barred Sulphur look like?

The Orange-barred Sulphur typically measures Wingspan 67-80mm.

Where is Orange-barred Sulphur found?

The Orange-barred Sulphur is found in North America, South America and typically inhabits underground environments.

What does Orange-barred Sulphur eat?

The Orange-barred Sulphur feeds on plant material including leaves, stems, and other vegetation.

Is Orange-barred Sulphur dangerous to humans?

The Orange-barred Sulphur is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.

What is an interesting fact about Orange-barred Sulphur?

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

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/orange-barred-sulphur

MLA:
"Orange-barred Sulphur." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/orange-barred-sulphur.