Phoebis neocypris

Phoebis neocypris, the tailed sulphur, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America.[2] There is a record for one stray in southern Texas. The habitat consists of tropical areas, especially in mid-elevation forests as well as open and disturbed areas.[3]

Tailed sulphur
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Pieridae
Genus:	Phoebis
Species:	P. neocypris
Binomial name
Phoebis neocypris (Hübner, [1823])[1]
Synonyms
Colias neocypris Hübner, [1823] Papilio cipris Fabricius, 1793 (preocc. Cramer, 1777) Callidryas bracteolata Butler, 1865 Callidryas irrigata Butler, 1870 Callidryas rurina C. & R. Felder, 1861 Callidryas bogotana Herrich-Schäffer, 1867 (nom. nud.) Catopsilia rurina ab. peruvicola Strand, 1912 Catopsilia rurina ab. impurpurissata Niepelt, 1914 Catopsilia neocypris peruviana Martin, [1923] (nom. nud.) Callidryas virgo Butler, 1870 Callidryas intermedia Butler, 1872 Callidryas intermedia f. rubrofasciata Vázquez, 1952

The wingspan is 39–44 mm (1.5–1.7 in). Males are orange and females are whitish or yellowish. Both have a triangular extension on each hindwing. Adults are on wing all year round in Mexico and Central America. They are on wing in September in southern Texas. They feed on flower nectar of various flowers, including Lantana and Impatiens species.[3]

The larvae feed on fresh leaves of Cassia species.[3]

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognised:[1]

• Phoebis neocypris neocypris (Brazil)
• Phoebis neocypris rurina C. & R. Felder, 1861 (Mexico to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador)
• Phoebis neocypris virgo (Butler, 1870) (Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica)

References

1. Phoebis, Site of Markku Savela
2. Tailed Sulphur, Learn about Butterflies
3. Butterflies and Moths of North America