Pale Clouded Yellow
Key facts
- Latin name
- Colias hyale
- Family
- Pieridae
- Wingspan
- 40-52 mm
- Flight season
- May — September
- Host plants
- Red clover, Alfalfa, Mouse vetch, Grass pea
- Conservation status
- LC
Appearance
The pale clouded yellow (Colias hyale) is a medium butterfly with a wingspan of 40–52 mm. Males are lemon yellow with a black border along the outer margin and an orange spot in the center of the hindwing. Females occur in two forms: yellow (similar to the male but paler) and white (forma alba).
The underside of the hindwings is greenish yellow with a silvery spot in the center.
Range and habitat
Widely distributed in Europe and Asia. In Russia common in the European part and Siberia.
It lives on open meadows, clover and alfalfa fields, and roadsides. Closely linked to cultivated and wild legumes.
Life cycle
2–3 generations per year. Caterpillar overwinters. First generation flies May–June, second July–August, third August–September.
Eggs singly on legume leaves. Caterpillar green with a pale lateral stripe. Pupa green, attached to a stem.
Clouded yellows and agriculture
Clouded yellows actively visit clover and alfalfa crops where they are important pollinators. Caterpillars eat legume leaves but damage is usually minor. They are characteristic butterflies of cultural landscapes.