Clouded Yellow
FamilyPieridae
Scientific NameColias croceus
RangeEurope, North Africa, Middle East
HabitatOpen grassland, farmland
About the Clouded Yellow
A deep yellow butterfly with black wing borders that migrates north from southern Europe and North Africa each year. In some years huge numbers reach Britain, and these are remembered as Clouded Yellow years, such as 1947. It always rests with its wings closed, showing only the greenish-yellow underside. Caterpillars feed on clovers and lucerne.
Related Species
Brimstone
Likely the original butter fly — the word butterfly may derive from butter-colou...
Cabbage White
The butterfly most people see most often. Introduced to North America in the 186...
Orange Tip
One of the first signs of spring in Europe. Only the males have the bright orang...
Large White
A familiar white butterfly whose caterpillars are a pest of cabbages and other b...