North American Ecology (US and Canada)
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Resident in northern North America and intermountain West (Scott 1986). Habitats are WILLOW BOGS. Host plants are usually shrubs with hosts restricted to a few species mostly in one genus (SALIX) of family SALICACEAE. Eggs are laid on the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as 2nd, 3rd or 4th instar larvae. There is one flight each year with the approximate flight time JUN15-JUL15 (Scott 1986). Sometimes listed as a subspecies of Colias scudderi (Scott 1986).
Conservation Status
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Not of concern.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Cyclicity
provided by University of Alberta Museums
One brood annually, with peak flight activity from late June to late July.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Distribution
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Alaska south to northern Ontario, southern Manitoba, and northwestern Wyoming (Opler 1999).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
General Description
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Most similar to the Pink-edged Sulphur (C. interior), but gigantea is larger (forewing length 26 - 32 mm, compared to 22 - 27 mm), with a larger discal spot and often with a more pronounced satellite spot. The shape of the forewing is also more rounded. Boreal region populations are subspecies mayi, while those from the Crowsnest Pass region southward are slightly smaller and are considered supspecies harroweri (Bird et al. 1995).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Habitat
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Fens, bogs and wet meadows.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Life Cycle
provided by University of Alberta Museums
The immature stages are undescribed. It is believed that larvae overwinter (Bird et al. 1995). The wet, shrubby areas inhabited by this species means it is not often observed, but road allowances through fens and bogs with regenerating willows are good places to look for this insect.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Trophic Strategy
provided by University of Alberta Museums
The larvae feed on willows (Layberry et al. 1998). There are no published reports of adult feeding behaviour.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Colias gigantea
provided by wikipedia EN
Colias gigantea, the giant sulphur or giant northern sulfur, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae found in North America. Its range includes Alaska across Canada to the east coast and Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon.[1]
Flight period is from June until early August.[1] It inhabits tundra and willow bogs.[2]
Wingspan is from 37 to 55 millimetres (1.5 to 2.2 in).[1]
Larvae feed on Salix spp.[1][3] Adults feed on flower nectar.[2]
Subspecies
Listed alphabetically.[3]
-
C. g. gigantea (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories)
-
C. g. harroweri Klots, 1940 (Wyoming, Montana, Oregon)
-
C. g. mayi F. & R. Chermock, 1940
References
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Colias gigantea: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Colias gigantea, the giant sulphur or giant northern sulfur, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae found in North America. Its range includes Alaska across Canada to the east coast and Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon.
Flight period is from June until early August. It inhabits tundra and willow bogs.
Wingspan is from 37 to 55 millimetres (1.5 to 2.2 in).
Larvae feed on Salix spp. Adults feed on flower nectar.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
